IT IS unfortunate that more policemen and women yesterday joined their colleagues in their campaign of collective deception namely, failing to report for work while claiming to be sick.
It is one of those dishonest forms of industrial action that have been legitimised by widespread use. In effect, the protesters want to eat their cake and have it by withdrawing their services but not losing any pay for so doing.
We commend the policemen and women who have allowed good sense to prevail in seeking to perform their duties while their representatives continue to bargain with the Government for improved salaries and fringe benefits. We have no doubt that those who have stayed on the job are as fully committed to the cause as their more militant colleagues. But we believe they are also keenly aware of their responsibility, that by joining the rest of their colleagues they would in fact be giving criminals greater opportunities to exploit the nation's vulnerability.
Sections of the island's judicial system were severely disrupted on Wednesday and although more police assigned to this area were on the job yesterday, there were still hiccups.
While financial encouragement undoubtedly strengthens labour, the sense of responsibility and duty to the nation cannot be measured in dollars and cents. By no means should they be taken for granted, but the state can never pay police personnel to take their responsibility seriously.
We reiterate that a strong case can be made for the police to be given special treatment in their claims for an improved salary package, but we believe the way they are going about pressing their demands will, in the long run, undermine their own authority.
There are indications that the administration is making an effort to find ways to improve on its initial offer. This is the basis for continued negotiation, for give-and-take on either side. Again we appeal to the members of the JCF to let good order prevail, and to be particularly mindful of the context in which they and the rest of the society are operating.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
