Glenroy Sinclair and Ross Sheil, Staff Reporters
Dr. Omar Davies, the Minister of Finance and Planning, attempts to calm members of the police force who demonstrated outside his National Heroes Circle offices yesterday, to press their demand for increased salary and fringe benefits. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
PROTESTING JAMAICA Con-stabulary Force (JCF) members yesterday blocked the pathway of Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies, forcing an agreement from the minister to respond to their salary demands within 48 hours.
The incident took place outside the compound of the Ministry of Finance and Planning Building at National Heroes Circle in Kingston, and involved well over 100 members of the force.
The lawmen used a number of police motorcycles to block Dr. Davies' vehicle. Unable to move, the minister pleaded that he was late for a Cabinet meeting and suggested that a discussion with JCF leaders could be accommodated later.
The protesters would, however, have none of it, forcing Dr. Davies into the Heroes' Circle complex. The minister was then handed a police microphone which he used to addressed the protesters from under a tree.
I don't have the money," declared Finance Minister, while promising to reply to the federation within 48 hours. Dr. Davies also agreed to a meeting to discuss the impasse.
He was only allowed to leave after Police Federation Chairman Federation Corporal Raymond Wilson handed him a letter, outlining the federation's concerns.
The Government and the police have been involved in salary negotiations over the past year. The lawmen have been demanding a wage increase of 47 per cent, in addition to provisions for better working conditions. They are also asking for increased access to training opportunities and improved health benefits. The Government has consistently rejected the demands.
Commenting on tomorrow's crucial meeting with Dr. Davies, Corporal Wilson said: "We are not expecting anything negative to come out of this meeting. We are hoping to take back some good news to our members."
OFFICERS PARTICIPATE
On Sunday night, scores of rank and file officers turned up at the Elletson Road Police Complex, downtown Kingston, to participate in an all-night vigil.
"We never intended to disrupt the security of the nation. We never asked anybody to abandon their posts. What we did was to ask people to make the sacrifice in their own time," Corporal Wilson explained.
Commenting on the salary negotiating process, Dwight Nelson, president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions and vice-president of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, said he met with the federation's executive and was optimistic that the impasse would be resolved. He told The Gleaner that 12 of the 24 points in the claim were achievable, including the 40-hour week. He was, however, not so sure about the demand for a 47 per cent salary increase.
"No, that's not possible," he said. "However, where is the role of the Commissioner of Police? By law he is supposed to negotiate on behalf of his ranks with the government. He needs to step to the plate."
