Clarke responds to police federation on wage talks
Published:Tuesday | September 4, 2018 | 2:56 PM
Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke is strongly refuting claims by the Jamaica Police Federation that he has closed the doors on negotiations with the union for the 2017-2019 contact period.
The federation represents rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
In a statement this afternoon, Clarke, who is attending the Sixth Special Meeting of the Council for Finance and Planning in Barbados, said that the assertion that he “will be unable to accede to our (Federation) request to continue the negotiation process in good faith” is a misrepresentation of the communication between the finance ministry and the police union.
The federation made the claim in a statement to the media yesterday in which it accused the government of making a mockery of the negotiation process.
The finance minister explained that federation, in a letter dated July 31, 2018, requested an urgent meeting during the week of August 6.
Clarke said the finance ministry advised that it was unable to convene a meeting within the time requested and that it will communicate a date for the continuation of the discussions at the earliest possible time.
Clarke said it is unfortunate that the ministry's position was misinterpreted.
The finance minister assured the police federation that he will meet with the union subsequent to his return to the island tomorrow with a view to moving the negotiation process forward.
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