Message from National Chairman - Issue 25

2nd November 2007

Dear Colleagues

WHAT NEXT, THE BIG QUESTION

This week may turn out to be a cornerstone of the union or a week which will force us to look at the very foundations that support our union.

On the 30th October members of the Executive met with Jack Straw, a meeting we had hoped would bear fruit for this union. The NEC have made it clear that the staging of pay in 2007 was wrong and we await that wrong to be righted.

The Labour Government promised to restore our trade union rights whilst in opposition. That promise was made by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. To date, ten years after being elected they have failed to uphold that promise to this union.

We have told those in authority that unless we have our trade union rights restored, we will not enter into modernisation talks with either the Government or Prisons Board. On the second point, I am still awaiting the answer to the simple question, why do we need to modernise?

If this Government does not restore our trade union rights, we will take our case to the European Courts for justice to be served. Why will the Government not give us our trade union rights back, what are they afraid of? Surely they know we will only react when we are or have been treated “badly” and if we had our trade union rights restored; time would be on their side to seek a resolve. Why are they treating us differently than the Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance and Paramedics, Nurses, Teachers and Train Drivers? All who deliver a public service. Our human rights have to be upheld.

We have no doubt that legislation will be reintroduced to criminalise us, unless we sign up to a “son of JIRPA”. The NEC have no intention of signing a “No Strike Agreement” but, we will engage in meaningful discussions to put industrial relations on a fair and just platform.

We are still at the negotiating table, but we remain of the view that nothing is ruled in or out at this time. The answer to the big question lies firmly at the feet of Jack Straw and the Labour Government. What answer they give will determine WHAT STEPS THIS UNION HAS TO TAKE TO DEFEND OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AS WORKERS.

Without trade union rights we will continue to be the victims of imposition, we will continue to be the victims of bullying managers and we will continue to have below inflation pay awards imposed on. This union must have a voice and this union must have the right to dispute the mismanagement of the Prison Service, that voice will only be heard through full trade union rights.

Colin Moses
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

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