KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Police Federation is expressing concern at the pace at which the Government is moving towards the conclusion of their 2017 to 2019 salary and benefits negotiation.

 According to Chairman of the Police Federation, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, “the central committee of the Jamaica Police Federation met with the Government on two occasions, the last being on September 14, without any meaningful consensus or progress regarding our salary negotiation. Nonetheless, in the true spirit of negotiation we decided to give the process sometime for thing to fall in place.”

Wilson said that the Federation is disappointed that almost two months have passed and they are yet to get a formal invitation from the Ministry of Finance to resume talks, “even as the cost of living continues to increase and members face tumultuous task of serving their country”.

“We are frustrated and the rank and file cohort remains restive and uncertain, especially since it was the Government that announced that the negotiations would be concluded very early into the 2017/2019 contract period. We have made ourselves available and we have exhibited good faith but our patience has waned,” said Wilson.

The Police Federation head noted that its members continue to suffer the indignation of not being able to properly provide for themselves and their families while they continue to work, in some cases, up to 20 hours per day without overtime pay.  

“If we are not in receipt of a formal invitation early this week for us to return to the negotiation table, we will call an all-Island Branch Board meeting and put the matter to our members to determine the way forward.  However, if we are called to a meeting and there is still no meaningful offer from the government to improve the standard of living of our hard-working members we will summon our members to determine the way forward.”

“We sincerely hope that this matter will be settled long before the festive season begins and allow good sense to prevail as many of our members are de-motivated and inadequate pay and benefits remain one of the biggest factors,” said Wilson.