And, continuing with news from the House...
Last night we told you that the Police Association and the high command made up, and the entire array of disciplinary and administrative actions against the Association and its leaders were undone - like they never happened.
As a result, today, the NTUCB announced that it will call off its protest action, which had been scheduled for this weekend. They did pledge their continued support for the Association leaders should the need arise.
Today, Saldivar, flush with the success of that effective de-escalation of hostilities - brought the heat to 7news.
Last night we told you about the Jamaican Police Federation - which according to its official website, and its Facebook page, it is, quote, "a union representing police officers in Jamaica from the ranks of Constable through to Inspector."
We contacted members of the executive from the Federation in Jamaica, and they told us that they are a fully-fledged union.
Well today, Saldivar told the House, that's not so - here's his presentation:...
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"The other matter I like to address this morning Mr. Speaker is to respond to an item on the Channel 7 News in last evening which attempted to portray the Jamaica Police Federation as a union. In contrary to the rules that apply to the Belize Police Association. I have in my hand which I will pass to the manager and editor of Channel 7 the rules pertaining to the Jamaica Police Federation most of which when it is read will show that it is almost exactly the same wording and form as the rules pertaining to the Belize Police Association. But I will read one particular section of the Jamaica Police Federation that goes beyond what the Belize Police Association rules provide for and it says at section 70.2 a person who is a member of the force shall not without the consent in writing of the commissioner publish or communicate to any person other than the minister, a member of the police service commission or a member of the force any information however obtained relating to the proceedings, deliberations, recommendations or decisions or a branch board, central conference or central committee or any matter whatever arising out of or concerning the duties of the federation. So it goes even further than what we have said and I will make it available to you Mr. Jules Vasquez. Thank you."
Indeed, as Saldivar said, in the strictest sence, The Jamaica Police Federation is NOT a union, but it sure functions like one. Its role is very much like our police association, and they also have a media policy that they abide by.
But they still wield similar powers to a union. They cannot incite the Jamaican Constabulary Force to stage any industrial action in the form of sick outs or strikes - yet there have been sickouts.
Last year, the Jamaican Government was proposing an agreement to settle issues of wages with all workers of the public sector. As a representative of the Constabulary Force, the Police Federation firmly put its foot down and refused to sign on to the agreement until the government officials met and reasoned with their representatives.
This halted the government's plan to finalize the agreement with the public sector.
If that isn't a form of representation, and by extension, union-type behavior, then we don't know what is.
In an effort to clarify the Federation's role in Jamaica, 7News spoke to its former chairman via phone.
He told us that when he held the office of chairman the federation could represent their members on issues which affect them:
Here's what he told us:
Daniel Ortiz
"What exactly is the labeling of the Jamaica Police Federation? Is it a union of members from the police department you Jamaica Constabulary Force?"
Constable Franz Morrison, Former Chairman - Jamaica Police Federation
"It would bounce like a union but it's not a trade union. It is not a trade union; it is a federation which deals specifically with issues of rank and file of police officers."
Daniel Ortiz
"As a member of the Jamaica Police Federation, is any member allowed to speak to the media on any issues affecting them which they feel have gone un-notice by the senior command?"
Constable Franz Morrison
"Generally the federation is regulated by the general rule that regulate the force and we have a media policy. If we do speak on matters affecting the force we would have to speak in line with the media policy of the JFA. But we are a very vocal federation."
Daniel Ortiz
"Let's say for example - I know that there was a dispute in your country over wages, a wage agreement right?"
Constable Franz Morrison
"Yes."
Daniel Ortiz
"In that sense does the police federation has the capacity to object to anything that comes out of the central government in terms of matters that affect the police of the Constabulary Force and the officers which you represent - the ones who elected the chairman?"
Constable Franz Morrison
"Yes that's our function. In that sense we function very much like a union because those matters a union would represent the federation represent them on behalf of police officers."
We also found the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), which is coalition of police unions and associations across the United States.
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