Police Federation rejects government's wage offer

Another public sector union has rejected the government's six per cent wage offer for the 2017-2019 contract period.

The finance ministry yesterday met with the Jamaica Police Federation, which represents rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, to begin wage negotiations.

However, Chairman of the federation, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, says his group was shocked by the government’s offer.

He says the offer only addressed one area of the federation’s 48-point wage claim.

Wilson says the six per cent increase over two years is unsatisfactory.

Wilson also says the federation has given the government two weeks to make another offer.

Last week, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association voted to reject the government’s wage offer for the 2017-2019 contract period.

A day later, finance minister, Audley Shaw, appealed to public sector unions to be moderate in their salary demands.

He said he hoped cool heads would prevail given realities, such as the agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the impending implementation of public sector pension reform.