THE Police Federation on Wednesday served a one-week ultimatum on the Finance Ministry, calling for a meeting to discuss wage increases for the 2006 to 2008 contract period.

According to general secretary of the Police Federation, Corporal Hartley Stewart, this action was necessary because Fitz Jackson, state minister in the Ministry of Finance, had failed to follow through on a promise to meet with the federation to discuss its concerns over the pace of the negotiations.

“Your letter of June 12, 2006, responding to our request of April 25 for an urgent meeting, indicated that you would have communicated with the federation within two weeks,” Stewart said in a letter to Jackson on Wednesday.

“It has been five months since the federation submitted its claim for improved wages and fringe benefits for the period 2006 to 2008. Since we are unable to wait an undetermined period for your response, it has now become prudent for us to request the government’s offer within seven days,” Stewart wrote.

“It is regrettable that the process should be in such a dire circumstance at this early stage, but if the Police Federation does not hear from the Ministry of Finance by Wednesday July 5, we will have to consider alternate ways to elicit a response.”

Stewart said it is the federation’s duty to ensure that the business of its rank and file members are dealt with in a timely manner.

The federation said in a statement, earlier this month, that it believed the finance ministry was being disrespectful by not responding to its claim.

The police are yet to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU2).