Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Corporal Raymond Wilson has led the charge for better wages and working conditions for rank-and-file police. - Herbert McKenis/Freelance Photographer
TWO DAYS before he was scheduled to lead the Police Federation in another
meeting with Government officials, a weary Corporal Raymond Wilson refused to discuss what strategy his executive would take to the table.
"At this moment I won't say anything until I meet with the
(federation) executive today," Cpl. Wilson told TheGleaner
yesterday.
Tomorrow's meeting at the Ministry of Finance was announced last Friday by Junior Finance Minister Fitz Jackson. It is another attempt at seeking a solution to a wage and fringe benefits stand-off that has dragged on for two years.
Mr. Jackson's statement also put off a possible sickout by the restless cops. The 8,000 rank and file
members of the federation (ranked constable to inspector) have
presented a 41-point proposal to Government.
One of the main points of this document is a salary increase of 45 per cent in the first year and 30 per cent in the second, of a two-year contract. But Government has said it does not have the money to meet the federation's demands.
A welcomed meeting
On Friday, Cpl. Wilson, the two-term chairman of the federation, welcomed the Government's
decision for a meeting. "Good sense has prevailed," he said.
Two weeks ago, the combative Cpl. Wilson was not as diplomatic following a meeting of federation delegates at the Jamaica Conference Centre. He told The Gleaner that Government's failure to respond to a letter containing the federation's claims had angered his members.
"We are not certain what
message the Government is
sending. There has been no move that has indicated in what
direction they are going," he fumed.
Unclear message
Last week, Cpl. Wilson said, "Rank and file are scraping to make two ends meet as their salaries are not enough to ensure basic
survival. We serve daily as buffers between gunmen and the people of this country and all we are asking is that Government recognise this service because of this enormous responsibility."
Heading the Police Federation has been an enormous
responsibility for Raymond Wilson since he was elected to that post in November 2004. He assumed office at a time when the dispute between rank-and-file members and Government was simmering.
That dispute came to a head last summer when members confronted Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, and blocked the path to his Kingston office.
Biggest challenge
They also went on a three-day sickout. Cpl. Wilson said the
current disagreement between the police and their bosses has been one of the biggest challenges for him since he joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in 1990 at the age of 18.
He was born in St. Mary and grew up in the district of Stewart Mountain.
After enrolling in the JCF, shortly after leaving Tacky Secondary School (now a high school) he was assigned to St. Thomas where he served as a traffic cop,
a representative of thee Constabulary Communication Network, CCN, and a community relations coordinator.
Cpl. Wilson was elected to the Police Federation's central
executive in 2001. Before he was elected chairman, Cpl. Wilson served as assistant general
secretary, research and
documentation officer and general secretary.
Despite constant cries by the police of poor salary and stressful working conditions, Cpl. Wilson said he is in the job for the long run.
"I am very much interested in moving up the ranks of the JCF, but it is my belief that if it takes someone at this level to get the job done then let it be, as I have always believed in competence over rank,' he said.
