The National Chairman

June 2006

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2006: "SPECIAL THANKS AND BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE"

The 67th Annual Conference at the Guildhall Portsmouth passed with some memorable moments for many people.

Pete Hancox, John Boddington and John Shannon all received the highest award of Honorary Life Membership for their work and commitment to the POA. The tributes paid to those individuals by Steve Gillan, Finlay Spratt and Dave Melrose proves that “I” and the POA are “building for the future”.

Recognition was given to Tom Appadoo Holloway, Ray King Whitemoor, Dave Turner Pentonville and Hughie Crawford Carstaires who all received the Cronin Clasp for the support they have given to the membership at local level.

The presentation from the Shannon Trust by Cheryl Bickett to Tom Robson for his work in ensuring the POAs support to this valuable piece of work continues helping prisoners to read is a key basic skill and the Shannon Trust would not be where they are today without the support of the POA.

The Mable Hempton award was given to Nick Stone (Lincoln) for his bravery in supporting colleagues during the riots at HMP Lincoln.

The branch believed his actions warranted this award and this was supported by the Executive, a truly great recognition for his bravery.

It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to all the delegates who ensure Conference is both professional and occasionally humorous, whilst ensuring the real business is progressed. During Conference the generosity of everyone there, delegates, NEC or as they are now National Executive Offi cers (NEOs), FTOs, observers, sponsors and Honorary Life Members never ceases to amaze me. This year the POA raised £3473.71 in support of a number of causes.

Finally, I would like to thank all the support staff who ensures conference functions.

Conference accepted motion 27a which reads:-

“Due to the recent publication of the Pay Review Body recommendations, the subsequent comments and prior interference by the Prison Service to infl uence the Pay Review Board, that the Association ballot its members to take industrial action up to and including if necessary a national strike”

This motion takes us into new ground and the NEC stand ready to fulfi l the mandate of Conference.

We would hope that the Government in the form of the Home Secretary and Prisons Minister along with the Prison Service will take the opportunity to engage with the POA in meaningful talks to resolve this dispute before the need for action is realised.

The POA stand ready to defend the membership but it is with some regret that whilst the Home Offi ce is in a state of crisis as reported in the national media with regard to the release of foreign national prisoners, no-one has seen fit to date, to discuss this crisis with the largest trade union in the custodial system.

We stand ready to engage in talks about the future of the Prison Service. It is in no-ones interest to see the Prison Service being portrayed as “in crisis” nor is it anyone’s interest for the Service to face industrial action but the resolve lies with Government and the Prison Service.

Throughout Conference many of the invited Guests spoke with vigour about their opposition to the privatisation of public services, in particular Alex Salmond SNP Leader, Elfyn Llwyd MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Bob Crow General Secretary of RMT and Terry Waite.

A healthy debate covered the principles and the working of the JIRPA both at national and local level. Conference determined (for now) that the POA should remain within the JIRPA but they were pleased to hear that legal redress is being sought over specific issues which the Prison Service dispute and refuse to resolve.

Finally, we look forward to a partnership built on trust and sound principles with the Prison Service in England and Wales but we must see a change in the attitude of the Prisons Board in respect of industrial relations.

Colin Moses
National Chairman