Jack: Sickout action by cops regrettable
'PM's lack of security a good test of popularity'
By Keino Swamber South Bureau
Story Created: Feb 16, 2011 at 10:50 PM ECT
(Story Updated: Feb 16, 2011 at 10:50 PM ECT )
WORKS and Transport Minister Jack Warner has described as illegal this week's sickout action taken by some police officers, in protest of the five per cent salary increase being offered by Government. He said it was unfortunate and regrettable.
Warner was speaking yesterday at the Couva North constituency office before touring the area to determine its road rehabilitation and drainage needs.
He was accompanied by Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar, MP for Couva North Ramona Ramdial, Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport Stacy Roopnarine and other ministry officials.
"We in no way condone the strike action that is taking place, especially by the Police Service. But we are very thankful for those who are on the job and those who have decided to perform in the service of the nation," Warner said
Commenting on the absence of Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) police officers from the private residences of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Chief Justice Ivor Archie, Warner said it was disappointing the officers would take such action, "especially with the kind of Prime Minister we have".
"Our Prime Minister is approachable, open and amenable. But at the end of the day, I don't even think our Prime Minister needs security. She is the kind of person who could walk anywhere," he said.
"So, in many ways, I am saying this is a good test to see how popular or unpopular she is. She can walk anywhere, anytime without security. At the end of the day, we will see if the guys did something correct of not. However, I don't condone what they have done. It was wrong, it was illegal and it cannot put them in a good light."
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said the five per cent wage offer was final and the Government could not afford a 40 per cent wage demand.
Yesterday, Warner said the assertion by Opposition MP Pennelope Beckles-Robinson that the country is in a crisis as a result of the stalled negotiations was not a correct one.
"There is (also) no impasse. The fact is that the Government has said that we do not have the ability to pay the kind of money that the people are asking for," he said.
"I came back (from Jamaica) this afternoon about two o'clock, and I read somewhere where the (Finance) minister said if he had the money, he would pay them. If I had the money, I, too, would have paid them. We don't have the money and, therefore, you cannot get blood out of stone.
"The last Government did not give us the kind of latitude to pay the kind of salaries we want to pay, and people have to understand that and respect that."
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