The Editor, Sir:

As a public sector employee, I have been quietly watching the unfolding events surrounding the public sector wage freeze. Reference is made to the main headline in The Sunday Gleaner in which the prime minister is quoted as having advised members of the Jamaica Police Federation, who are affected by the wage freeze, not to bully him.

The prime minister seems oblivious to a basic principle in management, that is, more flies are caught with honey than with vinegar! The reality is that most public-sector workers would (even unwillingly), accept the wage freeze in the interest of the nation, and in the interest of job retention, if an attempt had been made to negotiate rather than impose.

In over 50 years of existence, I have found, that it is not what you do, it is how you do it! Everyone understands that there is an economic crisis and that survival requires a sacrifice from everyone, but we are forced to protest against the way that we are being treated! The Government needs to recognise that the skills/expertise which they employ, reside in persons who have feelings. If, in the prime minister's perception, some public-sector workers are becoming more militant, and seem desirous of holding the country to ransom, (as he is reported to be suggesting), I would say that it is simply a knee-jerk reaction to the Government's intimidatory and disrespectful.

Legal and binding contract

My understanding, as someone who has been involved with negotiations for a long time, is that the seven per cent wage hike which was due on April 1, 2009, is the subject of a legal and binding contract, which was entered into by the Government and the unions/associations representing the employees. In this regard, it means that if the contracts are to be broken, this should be done with the agreement of both parties which were signatory to the contracts.

The sad fact is, the collective labour agreements signed by the workers of Jamaica have been hijacked, and the hijackers appear to be untouchable! This fact is disappointing, especially since this administration has a plethora of graduates from the trade union movement as ministers of government! Alexander Bustamante and others of our forefathers who bravely fought to gain for us the rights and freedoms which we enjoy today, must not only be ashamed, but they must be turning in their graves at this travesty of justice!

We have been informed that no provision was made for wage increases in the current Budget, despite the fact that it was known that the second year of the contract would begin on April 1, 2009. We have not been advised, when, if ever, the contracted seven per cent will be paid, despite the fact that this is money which is owed. It is not a gift. So, let the public be the judge: who are the real bullies here?

I am, etc.,

CAROL TOWNSEND

caroltownsend602@hotmail.com

Kingston