Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterTHE JAMAICA Police Federation executive is demanding that the government conclude their wage and fringe benefits negotiations by February 18.
If an amicable agreement is reached by then, the federation has been mandated to call a mass meeting with the rank and file to determine their next course of action, according to one of the delegates. The decision was taken at a meeting last Friday.
Members of the central executive discussed aspects of the salary negotiations and the government's 'non-offer', based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), at the meeting, The Gleaner was told.
The federation has repeatedly said it was not a part of any MoU with the government. Since last May they have been meeting with government officials, lobbying for their 24-point salary package claim.
Delegates have also passed a resolution that Fitz Jackson, the junior minister in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, be removed from the government's negotiation team. They are requesting the presence of Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, as they say Minister Jackson is acting primarily as an intermediary.
The federation is also calling for the implementation of a 40-hour work week. They want this implemented a month after the Police Federation's annual general meeting which begins in May.
When the parties met three weeks ago, Federation Chairman Cpl. Raymond Wilson said there were indications that the government would be willing to start the negotiating process.
"Unfortunately, they returned yesterday (last Wednesday) with a different answer of 'no offer' to all these claims," the federation chairman said.
He said the federation will continue to pursue its 24-point claim.
