Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

The executive of the Police Federation will be returning to the bargaining table today as they now press for a 50 per cent wage increase, down from a demand for 75 per cent.

The executive of the federation and representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Planning will meet at the Finance Ministry at 3:30 p.m. to continue the wage negotiations.

General Secretary of the federation, Corporal Hartley Stewart, told The Gleaner yesterday the police union was optimistic that the Government would offer an improved wage offer.

Last week, hundreds of rank-and-file officers went on a three-day sick-out which had severely hampered court proceedings and security operations. Several police stations also ran on a skeletal staff with the western end of the island and Manchester severely affected by the lawmen's actions.

"We have got over that barrier. We should receive a much-improved offer," he told The Gleaner.

Visibly upset

Corporal Stewart said the federation had adjusted its wage claim to 35 per cent in the first year and 15 per cent in the second, since September 8. He also indicated that even that (an overall 50 per cent increase) was negotiable.

Fitz Jackson, State Minister for Finance, has been quoted in the media as saying the Police Federation's handling of the negotiations was "impractical, immature and an insult to people's intelligence".

Last Tuesday, the delegates of the federation were visibly upset over the comments made by the State Minister who subsequently said his statement had been "sensationalised".

On Friday, National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, who intervened in the impasse, said he felt there was an understanding that Government was prepared to do all possible to settle the dispute.

The Government had previously offered 12.5 per cent in year one and five per cent in year two.

The federation will convene a meeting tomorrow with its delegates to inform them of the outcome of today's meeting.