The National Chairman

October 2007

A great day in the history of the POA

At Annual Conference the delegates supported Emergency Motion 16(e) this called for a workplace ballot in respect of pay. The NEC carried out that mandate and the members voted to take action, again the NEC ensured we carried out that mandate and on the 29th August 2007 we held the first national strike in the POA history.

The Prison Service Management reacted to our action by paying those in our charge monies for good behaviour, those who worked a bonus and by running to the courts to seek injunctive relief rather than looking at what had forced this union and its workers to react in this manner. The Service leap from one crisis to another instead of standing up for its employees and saying enough is enough.

Will this continue, probably as we await the decision as to whether we are to be fined, imprisoned or constrained further as a result of the union’s actions on the 29th August 2007?

Actions that was right, justified and necessary.

Actions that have been widely supported across the unions affiliated to the TUC.

Was it right for the Government to stage the pay award and again award the vast majority of us a below inflation pay rise? No.

The Government promised to restore our Trade Union Rights whilst in opposition, have they? No.

Did our fellow trade unions think this was right at the TUC? No, on both counts and they offered unprecedented support in our campaign and dispute with the government.

Are there other issues that are wrong? Yes, staff morale and this has to be measured and taken seriously by the employer in an operational Service.

TOIL (unpaid overtime) worth around £6,500,000; as identified in the public accounts by the National Audits Office, is it right that the Director General of the Service refuses to repay your contractual rights? No, and you have a contractual right to have your TOIL repaid in 5 weeks.

Is it right for the Director General to try and undermine this union’s NEC and try to use local committees to resolve his problems? No, we have national structures to deal with national problems and the Service knows this but, try to undermine the system to meet their needs.

Is it right that the level of assaults continue to rise year on year and still the Service set a target that fails rather than addressing the root cause of assaults, understaffing, poor discipline, low morale, appeasement of prisoner’s to name but a few. In the last 7 years assaults on female Prison Officers have increased by 121% and on male offices by 50%; is this right? No, society has a duty of care to staff as well as prisoners.
So what have we achieved?

Well we are sitting around the negotiating table seeking resolves in the short, medium and long term. These negotiations are at Ministerial level, supported by the TUC to try and ensure a fair deal is reached.

Will these discussions bear fruit?

I don’t know but if they don’t then as said previously, rule nothing out and nothing in.

The initial meeting with Jack Straw did not deliver all that we had hoped for, but, at least we met him to put forward your concerns and engaged in some meaningful discussions. These discussions will continue until a resolution is reached or the NEC determines a different plan of action.

What about those who worked or returned to work early?

In every dispute members of all trade unions will fail to follow the democratic voice of the union or blame something or someone for their failings or weaknesses. They should look at themselves and consider whether they should be a member of the union or a branch official. We will leave the decision to those who know who they are, enough said on this sad matter.

Are we alone in our fight? No

We are not the only public sector worker being affected by the restraints of Government in respect of pay. I attended several fringe meetings at the TUC to air our concerns and gather support should we need to instigate any further plan of action. I am pleased to say that union leaders were not shy in coming forward to stand side by side with the POA.

All three motions put forward to the TUC which included an Emergency Motion were unanimously accepted and supported. We will stand alongside other public sector unions to fight the disgraceful policy being enacted by this Government to attack the lowest paid in our Society.

Our summer of discontent may lead to a winter of discontent for the Government with all public sector workers expressing their disappointment at their failings over pay and conditions. I do not think that below inflation awards are fair, just or right and when you know that some staff are on income support, or holding down two or three jobs to make ends meet a rise of 10p an hour isn’t right.

The POA is now seen as a member of the awkward squad at the TUC.

The POA are the only champions of uniformed prison staff. The silence of the Prisons Board on defending frontline staff to financial attacks is deafening. When will our employer stop hiding behind the defences of being senior well paid civil servants and come out and stand side by side this union and defend the hard working professional men and women in our overcrowded prisons.

Colin Moses
National Chairman

ARCHIVE:

AUGUST 2007: The National Chairman

JUNE 2007: The National Chairman

MAY 2007: The National Chairman

APRIL 2007: The National Chairman

FEBRUARY 2007: The National Chairman

DECEMBER 2006: The National Chairman

OCTOBER 2006: The National Chairman

AUGUST 2006: The National Chairman

JUNE 2006: The National Chairman

APRIL 2006: The National Chairman

FEBRUARY 2006: The National Chairman