The National Chairman

August 2006

KICK RACISM OUT OF THE PRISON SERVICE

The PFA (Professional Footballers Assosiciation) has run a well-publicised campaign "Kick Racism out of Football". This campaign has been fully supported by the POA and other affiliated TUC unions. Racism is a vile fact of our working lives. It is a subject that evokes much debate, unfortunately much of this debate in the Service is done in whispers. There has been an atmosphere created by Management that to express views on this subject can bring you into conflict with the "thought police".

We must generate true debate and decision making that is not based on individual Governors wanting to score "Brownie points". We must stop what we have just seen in recent media reporting of the Zahid Mubarek Public Inquiry of naming and shaming. The staff that went through the trauma of the tragic murder of Zahid Mubarek deserve our support, and do have the support of this National Executive. The culture in the Prison Service at the moment is one of dismissal and not one of cultural awareness with diversity training in place to create a safe and decent environment.

There should be no place in our working environment for racist bigots or those who hold dangerous intolerant views.

The Service has been and continues to be labelled by parts of the media as being racist, without any substance or real evidence given for this charge.

As in every working place, we have racists in the Prison Service and to this end, they are in the POA. The thousands of decent hard working professional men and women in our union do not deserve to be stigmatised by a very small minority. We should challenge racist views and attitudes to protect the majority against the insidious small minority that shame us all.

To this end, we should all join together and send a clear message "Kick Racism out of the Prison Service".

DEMOCRACY THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX

The POA was established in 1939, following my election to the post of National Chairman it has always been my intention and remains my intention that you the membership, have your say, through the ballot box to ensure democracy is achieved.

I do not undervalue nor would I ever ignore Conference and the policies that are made during our Annual and Special Conference debates. But, it is vital that the broader membership have their say when this union is contemplating any form of action, or decisions which may fundamentally affect their long term security and existence of this Union. This is not to say that the legally elected body (the NEC) are afraid to make decisions or lead this union. You elected me and the Executive and we will ensure this union is managed on a day to day basis with the sole aim of improving your terms and conditions of employment whether in the public or private sector or special hospitals. Many of you will know that I have always been a great believer in democracy and have raised concerns at the manner in which postal elections are conducted because of Tory legislation which result in low returns. However, the use of secret work place ballots conducted locally will always ensure that the majority of members are given the opportunity to vote. This is the process which was used with regards to the latest ballot calling for industrial action up to and including strike action as a result of the emergency motion 27a placed before Annual Conference 2006. You must never underestimate your role in determining what action, if any, this union will engage in following the democratic process. It is important that we all support one another at local area and national level and ensure the democratic view is upheld at all times.

I will always discuss changes with the employer, politicians and anyone who is empowered to effect change which in turn affects you, the members. Unfortunately, discussions/talks often break down and fail. This union will always enter into dialogue even when those discussions have failed, others do not always adopt that policy. As National Chairman, I will ensure this union continues to build for the future and you the membership have an opportunity to have your say.

Colin Moses
National Chairman