The National Chairman

June 2007

TRADE UNION RIGHTS – OUR HUMAN RIGHTS

The POA face many challenges in the year ahead, not least the fight for the restoration of our full trade union rights. We have seen the formation of the Ministry of Justice in recent months. The POA campaigned through the TUC for a Ministry of Justice; we wait to see if what has been conceived by the outgoing Home Secretary fits what trade unions asked for. On the run up to this magazine being produced we have meetings scheduled with Lord Falconer the Head of Ministry of Justice and other officials of the Ministry.

The message we will be taking is that we want to see an end to the draconian management style adopted by the Prison Service Board in England and Wales.

Our Annual Conference ratified the twelve month notice given to the Prison Service in regard to the JIRPA. The POA having no faith in the way this agreement is being operated by the Prison Service Board. The threats have already begun in that Section 127, that piece of anti trade union Tory legislation, that criminalised POA members, will be reintroduced. I would remind you that we have a catalogue of promises from the Labour Party when in opposition and Government that they would repeal Section 127. The Prisons Board believe the only way they can operate industrial relations is to completely shackle this Union. This is the same Prisons Board that year on year is attempting to drive down the living standards of front line uniformed prison staff.

The question must be asked “What is the ulterior motive of those who currently run the Prison Colin Moses National Chairman Service in England and Wales”. Could it be they know they have the safety net of crossing over to the private sector at any time they choose? The only way we will be able to protect what we have and gain our full trade union rights is to campaign and that campaign must be a political campaign that takes us to the very centre of decision making in the new Ministry of Justice. I would urge every POA member to visit their local MPs surgery and ask that MP what their views are on Prison Staff have the right to take industrial action in line with the 1992 TULCRA legislation. Every public sector union has this right so why should that right be denied to the POA. We are a responsible modern union facing year on year attacks and those attacks are borne out of a belief by the Heads of the Prison Service in England Wales that industrial relations must be conducted in the terms of the Victorian mill owners and their workers.

The Prisons Board have gorged themselves on ultimate power, this must come to an end and we must have proper industrial relations that benefit all the Prison Service and serve the public. The decisions made at our Annual Conference and the feelings of the delegates at that Conference was enough is enough. If we are to have any form of protection against the current attacks on our living standards that have resulted in the Prison Service putting forward three below inflation pay offers. A pay review body that does not bother now to even hide its intent to change our terms and conditions outside of their remit. The campaign for full trade union rights and the ability to negotiate as others can and as other prison staff throughout Europe can is not a wish but an essential component if we are to have a workplace fit for professional men and women to carryout their duties in the twenty first century.

Industrial Relations throughout the United Kingdom vary. In Scotland we have a Partnership Agreement with the employer and binding arbitration in regards to pay settlements. The Union in the form of the SNC work closely with the Prisons Board in the sharing of information and taking forward the joint agenda on the public sector. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr Mike Ewart to the post of Chief Executive of Scottish Prison Service. “If we could only replicate the industrial relations model in Scotland in England and Wales” for this to happen there would have to be a complete sea change in the actions and attitudes of Prison Boards in England and Wales. In Northern Ireland we have improving industrial relations, one driven by a Prison Service Management that wishes to have constructive relationships with the POA. This is bearing fruit in agreements that have been reached in Northern Ireland and the recent pay award emphasises this. All of these sectors have the same trade union but different managements, maybe it is time that those who wish to lead the Prisons Service throughout the United Kingdom work from one format, that format being one on constructive dialogue and negotiation to seek solution.

Colin Moses
National Chairman

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