Wilson: Our members are very upset and have said in no uncertain terms that they will not work.NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
FOLLOWING ANOTHER breakdown in talks between members of the Police Federation and the Finance Ministry, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson will today meet with trade union leaders to explore ways of assisting the police within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), The Gleaner has learnt.
A source from yesterday's failed talks said the Government was willing to make "positive consideration" towards the police, but first wanted to get a consensus from the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Union, with whom it has a salary capping agreement.
'AGITATED AND UPSET'
The Police Federation, though, is hardly amused at what has been transpiring, warning that its members were becoming very 'agitated and upset'.
"The commissioner of police had a meeting with ministry officials on Monday and he left with a good faith agreement on the way forward," said Corporal Raymond Wilson in an interview with The Gleaner last night.
"Sometime today (yesterday) there was an emergency meeting where they went back on their word ... everything was thrown through the window.
"Our members are very upset and have said in no uncertain terms that they will not work. The federation, in the interest of the country, is trying to convince them to do otherwise. We truly thought the Government would have given us something so we could take back to our members. Now we have nothing to tell them ... we have nothing to ensure that they hold strain."
He added: "The Government needs to understand that we will do everything to ensure that the interest of our law enforcement officers is protected. We will not back away from defending the rights of our members who are out there risking their lives on a daily basis. This is not all about a salary increase ... this is about health and other benefits."
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