The National Chairman

June 2008

Management or Mis-Management?

Firstly, I would like to thank all the delegates, NEC, FTOs, support staff, sponsors, and of course the members, for their efforts in ensuring our 69th Annual Conference was a huge succ Colin Moses National Chairman ess.

The Right Honourable Jack Straw MP, The Secretary of State for Justice addressed our Conference for the 3rd time, his previous addresses were given in 1996 whilst opposition spokesman on justice and again in 1998 as Home Secretary, whilst Jack Straw was in the Conference hall the delegates debated Motion 138 calling for a vote of confidence in the Justice Minister, this was resoundly lost,the conference expressed that it had no confidence in the actions of Jack Straw in relation to our 2006/2007 Pay Award and his broken promises on trade union rights and privatisation. I wish to pay tribute to each and every delegate for their professionalism and contributions to what was a difficult debate, conference was also addressed by Mr Phil Wheatley the director general of NOMS his message was received in silence by conference.

Since Conference we have had correspondence with the Minister and we hope to meet him in the near future to discuss how he can regain the confidence of this union.

During his speech, Jack announced that £50 million was available for Workforce Modernisation. He has secured this additional money from Treasury. If we do not agree to Workforce Modernisation this money I assume will be lost. However, Annual Conference motion 56/08 was carried which read:-

“Conference accepts that Workforce Modernisation is inevitable and mandates the NEC to enter into meaningful discussion with the Prison Service in order to achieve the best possible deal for the members of this Association.”

This union stands ready to enter into substantive talks with the Employer and Government on Workforce Modernisation, any final decision on the outcome of these talks will be made by the membership through the ballot box, these talks would have been at a much further advanced stage except for the pettiness of the Prisons Board in not sharing with this union the exact amount of monies that had been granted by the Treasury. There must be a sea change in the attitude of the Director General and the Prisons Board in sharing information if there is to be an improvement in industrial relations and true partnership working.

I have set up a dedicated committee to work with the Prisons Board to progress this issue. I will of course keep you updated with any developments. To date they have met twice and other meetings are being arranged.

We will now start the process of preparing our pay submission to the Pay Review Body for 2009 in the normal manner, although it may all be overtaken by Workforce Modernisation.

I have read some interesting comments from branch members who attended Workforce Modernisation briefings/workshops. Clearly, management has preconceived ideas which do not reflect those of this Union and its membership.

I note the correspondence from Mr Robin Wilkinson in respect of Workforce Modernisation, dated 7th May 2008, and the questions and answers briefing of May 2008 on the same subject. I also read the letter from Mr Andrew Cross, who has been leading on Workforce Modernisation, which clearly states that the initial ideas by management are not “set in stone”. All of this bodes well for future negotiations as long as the Prison Service do not try and impose the views of a few managers onto the majority of the workforce. This process must be done in the spirit of partnership or it is destined to fail.

This union has never been afraid of change. Change has been at the forefront of the working lives of uniformed staff. The drive for efficiency savings and continuous improvement has been with the POA since 1987 and Fresh Start. We are engaging with the employer and will agree to change if it is beneficial, safe and agreeable to you the members.

Efficiency savings should not be made, and must not be made, at the cost of safety. We are seeing increasing numbers of violent inmates being placed in our charge. The society which they come from is a much more violent and drug abused society than we have ever known. Prison must not become a continuation of their drug addled violent world. If we are given the resources we can run efficient and effective prisons which will serve the public.

Workforce Modernisation has been costed at 50 million and what the Prison Service and Government must realise if that 50 million will only purchase what 50 million can buy, it will not purchase and should not purchase an unsafe unprofessional shoddy workplace that is unsafe for the professional men and women that work in it.

A view of the generosity of the POA

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Finlay Spratt, Area Chairman Northern Ireland for the work he has done and continues to do to support the Hannah Smith Appeal. The donations from delegates, sponsors and branch officials were magnificent and with the Finance Committee agreeing to uplift the sum raised from everyone, the overall amount was £10,000.

I know that additional money has been pledged and I ask you to continue to support the campaign.

Colin Moses
National Chairman

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