My Thoughts - Police Federation Demands to see PM!!!

The following release was sent out by the Jamaica Constabulary Force Federation:

‘The Jamaica Police Federation is flabbergasted and blindsided by the comments reported in the media by the Office of the Prime Minister through the Director of Communications Mr Robert Morgan which outlined that they received both letters from the Jamaica Police Federation on Thursday 28 of December 2017’

General Secretary of the Police Federation, Sergeant Cecil McCalla, stated that the first letter asking for a meeting with the Most Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Andrew Holness was sent via fax on the 20^th of December, 2017 and was subsequently hand delivered on Thursday 21st day of December 2017. The correspondence specified, that having met with the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Audley Shaw and his team on numerous occasions, there has been no meaningful consensus as it concerns the salary negotiation for the 2017 - 2019 period hence, the Police Federation is requesting an urgent meeting to attain a timely and reasonable outcome to these lengthy negotiations.

General Secretary McCalla said that the Police Federation is disappointed that the OPM is just responding to the request however, the Police Federation is anxiously awaiting that meeting with the Prime Minister.

He further added that there is overwhelming evidence to prove that the first letter was sent over a week ago and signed for by an employee at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The following are my questions and concerns:

During this time of the year many public servants are feeling the Christmas breeze and hardly any work is being accomplished now. If I was in change of the JCF federation, I would not fax a letter like this to the Prime Minister. This letter would only be hand delivered.

The letter was subsequently hand delivered on December 21, when many workers are not very active and I understand that some might have called in sick. This  effectively gives only one working day which is the Friday to look at the letter before Christmas. Many letters arrive on the PM's desk daily and unless this letter was painted red or it was stated that one or both parent of the PM had died, then I would not expect the letter to reach the PM desk during the Christmas season.

The PM would also need to consult with his staff, the Minister of Finance and his staff to update him on the situation. He would then have to make a decision as to whether or not he should get involved. This is also a busy time for the Minister of Finance & The Public Service, the Prime Minister and his staff..

The PM should not allow any group to put him under duress and demand that he meets with  workers because they are on sickout. That is why the former PM Simpson-Miller made it known that she allows her Ministers to deal with things related to their Ministry. That is a good position to take.

We need to understand that a sick-out should not be used as tool when we are taking industrial actions especially when you are a member of the essential services. It's dishonest to claim that you are ill when you are not. We are not referring to members of the security services.

In negotiations one has to consider very carefully the tone of all communications. A bad tone can can set a bad table for amicable discussions and negotiations.

We need to step back think and come again. We even need to think carefully how we construct letters for the attention of the Prime Minister and also information for public consumption.