Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
National Security Minister, Peter Phillips, (centre) and State Minister of Finance Fitz Jackson (left) listen keenly to Christopher Bowen, chairman of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) Association, during the signing of the Heads of Agreement between Government and the ISCF at the Finance Ministry yesterday. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE ISLAND Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) Association is to receive a one-off payment of $65 million, following the conclusion of its wage-fringe benefit negotiation, signed yesterday with the Government.
The signing took place almost a month after Government signed a one-off payment deal of $400 million with rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), represented by the Police Federation.
"This signals the conclusion of (negotiations with) all the bargaining units of the security forces," commented National Security Minister Peter Phillips. He, along with the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Fitz Jackson, and chairman of ISCFA, Christopher Bowen, participated in the signing.
As part of the signed agreement, the 1,300 members of the ISCF will each receive $50,000 over a two-month period. After the year-long negotiation and wage talks, ISCF Association members will now receive increases in death benefits, housing and education allowances.
A DISCIPLINED APPROACH
Both Messrs. Phillips and Jackson commended the membership of the ISCF for what they described as a disciplined approach to the negotiations.
"At no time did they seek to disrupt the service to the people," noted Mr. Jackson.
"I must commend them for the approach taken. They conducted the negotiations in a mature way," added Dr. Phillips.
They made the comment against the background of the mass sick-out staged by members of the Police Federation in May. According to Mr. Phillips, all the elements of the security forces are now undergoing a major reform process.
"There will be changes in the structure of the remuneration of the security forces," the National Security Minister told journalists yesterday.
He also stressed that long-serving members of the security forces will be rewarded, adding that Government was in the process of increasing the strength of the ISCF.
Chairman of the ISCF Association, Special Sergeant Bowen, said he was not satisfied with the one-off payment, but signed in the interest of the country, "because we understand the difficulty the Government is going through."
