The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) says it is deeply alarmed by a directive given by Commission of Police Dr Kevin Blake, ordering that Chairman of the Police Officers’ Association (POA), Senior Superintendent Wayne Cameron, vacate his post and be denied recognition by the Police High Command.
In a statement under the signature of JCTU President St Patrice Ennis, the union body urged the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to intervene in order to uphold both national and international labour standards.
Ennis warned that failure on the part of the ministry to act would leave the JCTU with no option but to escalate the issue to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Ennis told The Gleaner that the JCTU would allow the ministry at least 14 days to intervene before it takes the matter to the ILO.
On Monday, the police commissioner issued a release indicating that the POA chairman would no longer be granted audience at the level of the High Command. Blake said the senior police officer would also not be permitted to represent gazetted officers outside of his official duties.
The JCTU said this “unprecedented action” strikes at the heart of freedom of association, undermines democratic representation, and places Jamaica in direct violation of its obligations under the Constitution and core ILO conventions.
Pointing to an alleged breach of ILO Convention 87, Ennis said this accord, which was ratified by Jamaica, guarantees that workers’ organisations shall elect their representatives in full freedom and conduct their administration and activities without interference by public authorities.
He said the ILO has consistently held that organisations which perform trade union functions – even if established as associations under national law – are entitled to the protections of Convention 87.
The JCTU head argued that the POA, which is the recognised bargaining body for officers, falls within this definition. According to Ennis, by seeking to unseat the duly elected chairman, who was chosen by POA members in November 2022 and whose mandate continues until 2025, the commissioner has intruded into the internal governance of the POA.
He also contends that further denial of access to the High Command restricts the POA’s ability to fulfil its representative responsibilities.
The JCTU has signalled that ILO Convention 98 is also being violated. This convention, according to the JCTU, protects workers’ organisations from acts of anti-union discrimination, particularly against elected leaders, and also prevents employer interference in their administration and functioning. The POA, as the bargaining agent for gazetted officers, is therefore entitled to these protections, the JCTU added.
The commissioner’s directive, issued in the wake of a formal complaint lodged by Cameron with the Police Service Commission, constitutes an act of anti-union discrimination.
“By stripping the elected chairman of recognition and participation in collective processes, the High Command is interfering with the independence of the POA and undermining the collective bargaining rights of gazetted officers,” the union body noted.
Further, the JCTU is arguing that the commissioner’s directive is also unconstitutional.
Highlighting fundamental rights in the Constitution, such as freedom of association and equality before the law, the JCTU said these constitutional guarantees protect the right of POA members to freely elect and maintain their leadership, and to participate in their association’s activities without interference by the State or the employer.
“By attempting to remove an elected chairman and denying him recognition, the commissioner has undermined both freedom of association and equality before the law, striking at rights that the Constitution itself declares fundamental and enforceable.”
Cameron had signalled that he would be meeting with his attorneys to discuss the way forward.
In his release earlier this week, the commissioner said the High Command was concerned that reports of alleged indiscipline and misconduct by the chairman may compromise the conduct of the POA, particularly at a time when the organisation is required to engage in highly technical salary and benefits negotiations with the Government.
Blake said reports of the executive’s failure to meet to conduct the business of the POA, as well as to convene a general meeting over several years, have reinforced this position.
Cameron was elected chairman of the POA in 2019. The association represents personnel from the rank of assistant superintendent to deputy commissioner.