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Message from National Chairman - Issue 3226th June 2008 Dear Colleagues WORKFORCE MODERNISATION - (THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL) As part of the process to achieve the terms of Annual Conference Motion 56/08 as accepted by conference, the NEC and NOMS Management Board issued a Joint Statement on a without prejudice basis on Wednesday the 25th June 2008 following a two day dedicated meeting on 18th and 19th June. This was fully considered by the NEC at a special meeting on the 24th June 2008. At this meeting and previous meetings the NEC outlined the key areas that we have identified as part of any Workforce Modernisation Programme (WFM), taking account current conference policy. I will remind you that it is more than twenty years since we received a reduction to the working week. The wish list if that is what you call these things is not exhaustive, nor is it tablets of stone, but it will determine a framework for negotiations to determine any new and improved policies. I will again reiterate that individuals may believe or perceive Workforce Modernisation is a done deal, this is not the case. Consultation, negotiation and agreement through the ballot box will determine change in policy. The NEC continue to emphasise the real problems that you the membership face on a daily basis and we are seeking interim arrangements to ensure this vital work can be taken forward on a professional basis whilst ensuring the day to day work of the union is not affected. It is also imperative that we receive a pay award on the 1st April 2009 whether it is achieved through WFM or the pay review body. A pay award that reflects your value to society for the professional role you undertake everyday of your working lives. The process for (WFM) will not prevent the POA continuing its campaign to regain our full trade union rights. It may achieve improved compensatory measures on how pay is determined and industrial relations conducted whilst we embark on the journey to the European Courts. We are under no illusion about the challenges the service face, due to the financial restrictions placed on it by Government, the rising prison population and desperate need for more prison places. All of these bring about new challenges for this union, challenges that each and every one of you can and must play a part in defeating. Privatisation, Market Testing, Contestability and Contracting Out will be on the Governments agenda and you need to raise your objections and that of this union to your local MP. I have said on a number of occasions that we must be a campaigning union if we are to achieve our aims and a fundamental aim is to bring all prisons and related services back into Public ownership. The Government will issue a new competitions policy for NOMS to deliver and this union will have to face up to that policy and make some difficult decisions, but that is ahead of us and we need to focus on the issues at hand. The NEC realise the enormity of the task ahead and we will need each and every one of you to support us in our endeavours to improve the working practices of the service and to convince this Government that there is no need to privatise Public Services. Finally, a meeting with Jack Straw is to take place and we will put forward this union’s case and if we receive the assurances from him and the Government I am sure we can achieve all that is being asked of us. Colin Moses To view the full text of the Joint statement Click Here |
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