Police Fed angry over MP payout

The Police Federation yesterday reacted angrily to media reports that parliamentarians have received outstanding retroactive payments, calling the act a contradiction of the Government's claim of an "inability to pay".

The federation said in a release that, after months of ongoing negotiations with the Government for a seven per cent increase and other monetary benefits owed, the move has undermined the civility of good relations with the police and other public-sector employees who were told to "hold strain".

"Our members are outraged by the turn of events and, as such, an all-island branch board meeting has been called to deal with the matter," said Sergeant Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Police Federation.

Last week, The Gleaner reported that parliamentarians received $30 million in retroactive salaries last month.

Junior finance minister, Senator Arthur Williams, in confirming that parliamentarians had received retroactive payments dating back to 2006, said they and a medical group which also received recent payouts, were the longest outstanding groups owed.

The central executive of the Police Federation, which met to examine this development yesterday, demanded the Government tell the country when the outstanding monies owed to police officers will be paid as "the integrity of negotiations has suffered irreparable damage".