Opposition Spokesperson on National Security Derrick Smith has unleashed a scathing response to the Government’s Injunction in the Courts designed to force members of the police department on sick-out back to work.
I generally never agree with anything Smith had to say. I wasn’t convinced that Smith who previously held the National Security Portfolio was sufficiently supportive of the Police.
Many of my friends disagree with me on that but I reserve the right to be wrong.
I must admit however that Smith’s comments are spot on.
SMITH STATED:
The temporary injunction the Government has secured from the Supreme Court barring the police from taking industrial action not only serves to intensify the escalating wage negotiation crisis, but brings the “arrogance and bullying tactics being employed by the Government into sharp focus”.
“The Government’s move to compel the police back to work by way of an injunction will not improve the deepening industrial relations row and bring us no closer to restoring normality.” “In fact, the injunction only serves to further provoke the police and intensify the antagonism that characterizes the relationship between the police and the Government at this time. Instead of resorting to bully tactics and further oppressing the hard-working men and women of the constabulary, the Government needs to move quickly in making a better offer and ultimately arriving at a settlement,”.
My sentiments exactly , but what really excited me about Derrick Smith’s comments is this.
“What I find most disturbing is that the Government sat seemingly unperturbed and allowed the situation to escalate to the point where the Police Federation felt it had no option but to mobilize its members in staging a sick-out. What is even more disturbing is that the national security minister, who, if no one else in the Government does, should have the interests of the police at heart, has expended no discernible effort in advancing their welfare, but saw it fit to resort to bullying tactics on Tuesday by calling on them to return to work.”
Not only has Bunting showed he does not care about the plight of the working cops on the beat, some of whom provide 24 hour security to him at the risk to their own lives, he totally misquoted the percentage Government offered to rank and file cops.
If Minister Bunting had nothing positive to say all he had to do is simply remain silent.
A great Jamaican proverb taught me by my great aunt is (yu must tek sleep mark death) .
The police department is a large block of votes. Police officers have incredible sway and influence on members of their families, that includes how they vote.
I hope they learn and have memories like Elephants.
In some constituencies the difference between winning and losing is a few dozen votes. The votes of officers can be the difference in returning Jamaica to sanity.
Whether Derrick Smith is genuine in his broadside against the Government, or he is simply posturing, his comments are nonetheless correct.
The Police department has over 12.000 members . Members of the Gazetted Ranks who are members of the civil service are not subject to this wage dispute. Rank and file members must extricate themselves from the typical “licky-licky “mentality which has characterized the way they look at the political game and make decisions that will ultimately benefit them and their families going forward.
This party has never placed national security on the front burner.
This wage dispute is not the only indicator that the administration does not care about them.
Members complain they do not have uniforms nor boots , how disgraceful is that?
The Peoples’ National Party has always been a party which wanted crime to flourish as a kind of a “wink-and-a-nod” to it’s supporters when they are in office.
It’s a kind of pay back to the people. One of the many unscrupulous things they do to win and hold onto state power.
The Police have a choice to make.…