JAMAICA: POLICE SICK-OUT

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001881

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (RANDALL BUDDEN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM SNAR ASEC EFIN ELAB SOCI IMF
CASC, JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: POLICE SICK-OUT


1. (U) Hundreds of rank and file members of the Jamaica
Constabulary Force (JCF) called in sick to press for an
improved wage offer from the Government on September 20-21,
thus hampering Security operations across the island. Police
are demanding a 75 percent increase in salary and additional
benefits. Under Jamaican law, police officers are not
allowed to strike. However, rank-and-file Members of the
Force claimed they would continue to protest until their
demands have been met. Negotiations between the Finance
Ministry and the Police Federation are at a standstill and
the Finance Ministry refuses to negotiate until officers end
the sick-out.


2. (U) Minister of National Security Peter Phillips has
stepped in as a mediator. However, a seven-hour meeting on
September 20 between Phillips and members of the Police
Federation failed to resolve the stand-off. Continued
negotiations between Phillips and the Police Federation are
scheduled for the afternoon of September 21.


3. (SBU) According to Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, the
October 20 negotiations were cordial and the Police
Federation has tabled a wage and benefit offer significantly
below the original demand for a 75 percent salary increase,
20 percent housing allowance increase and 50 percent
severance pay increase over two years. Thomas would not
reveal the reduced counter offer but it likely is somewhere
near the GOJ's last offer of a 22.5 percent across the board
wage increase.


4. (SBU) Court proceedings in several areas of the island
have been suspended due to lack of officers to transport
prisoners, and calls to some of the islands police stations
are going unanswered. Reservists and members of the Jamaica
Defense Force are being called to fill the gaps. Officers in
the special units such as the USG supported vetted units and
the JCF's Special Branch are reporting to work as normal.
Most of the officers participating in the sick out are the
uniformed officers, the beat cops, who on average earn only
USD 500 per month. Despite the shortage of officers, there
has not been an increase in crime, according to Deputy
Commissioner of Police Mark Shields. "The criminals have not
yet realized the opportunity," he said. Shields expects the
police will meet with Phillips and agree to a solution that
can then go to the Finance Ministry. Shields hopes that
Phillips will be able get the officers back on the street and
the Finance Ministry and Police Federation back to the
bargaining table.

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Analysis: A Quandary for the PM
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4. (U) With the PNP annual conference opening tonight, the
widely perceived possibility that Prime Minister Portia
Simpson Miller might soon call early general elections may
increase the leverage of the Police Federation, as well as
that of teachers and junior doctors, who also are in wage
negotiations with the GOJ: the Prime Minister would want to
avoid civil strife during the campaign. On the other hand,
if she gives in to the police officers' demands, the teachers
and junior doctors may also decide to strike. Meeting the
demands of the unions would put severe stain on the GOJ's
budget at a time when Jamaica's Debt-to-GDP ratio already
stands at 136%. In a statement issued October 18, Opposition
Spokesman on National Security Derrick Smith said he hoped
the government would not wait until the eve of a general
election to improve its offer to the police in order to
attract their support.


5. (SBU) Comment: At this stage, we do not believe that our
facilities or personnel are at risk, nor do we judge there is
any appreciably increased danger to U.S. citizens on the
island. End Comment.
HEG