KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) Shadow Minister of the Public Service, Lambert Brown has described the government’s latest wage offer as “a gimmick, more resembling a three-card trick, rather than a serious attempt by an administration to settle public sector salaries and benefits.”

According to Brown, the government’s latest offer of four per cent in year one and two in year two in no way changes the fundamental offer of three per cent in year one and three per cent in year two and will not result in any material difference to the take home pay packages of public sector workers.

In a statement this afternoon following the breakdown of negotiations between the police and teachers and Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw yesterday, Brown condemned the minister saying he is “taking the workers for fools” and for making such a preposterous proposal, which only provokes a new attitude of entrenched opposition to any settlement offer on the present terms.

The shadow minister said the latest offer of four per cent and two per cent, has also served to inflame the situation at the negotiating table because it disrespects the workers and deepens their disappointment that after several weeks of negotiation and delay, the government is only offering a change to the formula, which effectively is not a new offer.

Brown said that while the Government continues to play games, the public sector remains restive and in a heightened state of uncertainty which could result in even more industrial action. As of now, no public sector group has accepted the government’s offer.