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The General SecretaryJune 2006
It is my considered opinion that this Conference will stand out as one of the most constructive Conferences held by the POA and a Conference that the Union should feel proud of. All resolutions will now be considered and placed before the appropriate Sub Committee’s and be taken forward with the Employer or relevant bodies for progression. It is hoped that we will very quickly be in a position to report back to the membership on the progression of these motions, now policy. However, the membership must understand that some motions will have a long-term aim and may take considerable negotiations before we are in a position to report back to the membership on the results. At Annual Conference it was determined that we will not be politically affiliated to the Labour Party. During the debate, a constructive and forthright exchange of views on the argument to affiliate to the Labour Party was put forward and it was made clear that the POA should not affiliate to any political party. It was abundantly clear that that POA should continue taking its case to all political parties at the very highest level. On behalf of the POA, I can assure you that we will continue to action this policy, ensuring all political parties understand our policies and recognise the work that we do on behalf of society. We know that the membership fully accept the need to be able to fund the political activities that are crucial to our strategies and moving our campaigns forward. To this aim, during the next twelve months, members will receive information regarding the maintenance of the political fund, which allows the above policy to be progressed. It is right and proper that our members understand that a political fund within a trade union is essential to take forward the views of the membership to where decisions are made. This may be in the Palace of Westminster or the European Parliament, but in order to adhere to the anti trade union legislation, a political fund is necessary. I know full well that the membership appreciate the work done on their behalf in all areas of political life. Through my pages, I would like to welcome John Reid to his position as Home Secretary and Gerry Sutcliffe as Prisons Minister. The POA expects Politicians to deliver fairness, not favours to our membership. We also expect that those who have been involved with the trade union and labour movement to recognise how the trades unions can assist Government in delivering modern public services for the citizens of this Country. More importantly at this time the part that the POA can play in assisting Government and the Prison Service to deliver quality services in an effective and efficient way cannot and should not be overlooked. We demand to have constructive dialogue with all interested parties; however, there is a sting in the tail. We are obliged to promote and protect the best interests of our members and we will not falter in that task. We await a constructive dialogue with the new team at the Home Office. The above are our fundamental questions to which the answer is currently NO. it is vital that every trade union, including the POA has the right to use industrial muscle, just as the Employer can use its managerial authority to affect change.The POA exists to protect its members and it is therefore essential that our two main campaigns are supported by the membership. The “Public Service not Private Profit Rally and Lobby of Parliament” on the 27th June 2006, should be a focal point for POA members to be seen along with our other trade union colleagues showing absolute opposition of privatisation of public services.
Make the voice of the POA heard and join the Rally, lobby your MP to ensure that Public Services are not for private profit. We must end prison privatisation, which is immoral, impractical, and ineffective. The Trade Union Freedom Bill includes within it a return of full trade union rights for Prison Officers. Many members of the POA currently will not remember a time when the POA could not negotiate on behalf of its members on a level playing field. As the Employer could initiate change, the POA could respond through the threat of or the implementation of industrial action. In the vast majority of occasions, this allowed for a resolve to the dispute to be reached without the need to action any threat. Since the removal of the right of Prison Officers to take lawful industrial action, we have seen stalling tactics by the Employer on the basis that they could implement change and in their opinion not receive any action against them in return. Conference heard the abuses of the JIRPA at national level and the resolve the POA are currently seeking. The question remains is it right to run Industrial Relations through a courtroom? The POA do not believe that this is the correct way to progress disputes unless the Employer refuses to engage meaningful discussions with an aim to seek resolution not imposition. However, it is vital that every trade union, including the POA has the right to use industrial muscle, just as the Employer can use its managerial authority to affect change. We look forward to seeing as many POA members as possible, taking part in the “Freedom March” from Dorchester Prison to Tolpuddle Museum on Sunday 16th July 2006. This march will indicate the need for freedom for trade unions freedom fought for by the Tolpuddle Martyrs and won in 1906, for all trade unions in the Country. Dust off your hiking boots and come along to Tolpuddle to show once again that the POA is an effective campaigning trade union and deserves its freedom alongside our trade union colleagues. Let us have a fun day at Tolpuddle making our voices heard in the birthplace of the trade union movement. I would like to go on record to all delegates at Annual Conference for the professional way in which they reviewed the work of the Disciplinary Appeals Committee. The process having been used albeit regretfully for the first time at Annual Conference allowed for the work done by the Disciplinary Committee and the Disciplinary Appeals Committee to be reviewed at the highest level. Both these disciplinary bodies are selected because of their knowledge and standing within the Union. They have carried out their work in an independent and knowledgeable manner, with integrity. The review at Conference established and under pinned that the work of these honourable people was justified and correct. In consultation with the Disciplinary Committee and Disciplinary Appeals Committee, we will carry out a full survey of the members with regard to discipline within the POA. I ask that you fully participate in this process over the next 12 months. At this particular time, following Annual Conference we go into what is a new year for the trade union. I wish to place on record my personal thanks to the membership for their support and understanding during the difficult times this union has faced. There is never an easy time ahead but it is a time for unity and a time for building for the future. The POA is not an organisation that will be put to one side by either those who profess to manage the Prison Service, or indeed, those put in political positions, which affect our members. We will engage with those who will listen but we will respond to those who seek to hurt POA members. Yours in comradeship Brian Caton
APRIL 2006: The General Secretary FEBRUARY 2006: The General Secretary DECEMBER 2005: The General Secretary OCTOBER 2005: The General Secretary AUGUST 2005: The General Secretary JUNE 2005: The General Secretary |
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