The National Chairman

December 2007

BETRAYAL BY NEW LABOUR

Colleagues

Firstly as National Chairman of the POA may I take this opportunity to wish each and every reader of the magazine a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. I can only hope that 2008 sees a change of attitude from those in authority towards the professional men and women of the Prison Service.

The POA has been a loyal supporter of the Labour Government and for the past ten years has supported New Labour, but the time is fast approaching where this union and individuals of this union will have to consider where its allegiance lies.

In 1997, when New Labour came into power there was approximately 61,500 prisoners in our care, today we have in excess of 81,000, In 1997 we had just over 23,000 prison officers to cope with those prisoners in our care. However, today the number of frontline staff has only risen to around 24,500. This is a rise of around 20,000 prisoners in ten years, with only 1,500 new prison officers in place to manage. On top of that we have seen an expansion of the prison regime, an extension of the core day and an increase in the number of violent incidents reported in prisons. The number of assaults on staff is in excess of eight per day, with an increase in assaults against females of around 120%. This is simply not an acceptable position.

Whilst in opposition Old Labour with the leaders of New Labour made promises to this union. Promises that have not been upheld and New Labour and the Leaders of New Labour should hang their heads in shame. This union had forced upon it compensatory measures because the Tory Government had removed its Trade Union Rights. Those measures were an industrial relations agreement (VA) and a Pay Review Body. The Pay Review Body only became part of legislation in 2001, some seven years late. Following the demise of the Voluntary Agreement we got the JIRPA which was again abused and as a result of the management abuse the NEC gave notice to withdraw in May this year. New Labour decided in the infinite wisdom to stage the first pay award as recommended by the Pay Review Body in 2001. In 2007, New Labour decided to stage a second pay award as recommended by the Pay Review Body, this is simply not acceptable. The NEC are in negotiations with the Prisons Board, Minister and Jack Straw. To date we have not had a satisfactory outcome. We will await the decision of those in power when 2008s pay award is recommended by the Pay Review Body.

On the 29th August 2007, this union took a day of action, a historic moment in this union’s history and the TUC. If necessary, this union will defend its rights to regain its Trade Union Rights and receive a fair and decent pay award for the professional men and women of the Service. I have said in the past that nothing is ruled in and nothing ruled out.

Public Services cannot be blamed or used to manage the Governments economy and Treasury’s wish list. Government say we need to modernise, I say show us the money. New Labour have said that the Prison Service must demonstrate its effectiveness and ability to deliver on the back on a 3% efficiency saving year on year for the next three years, that is on the back of the most efficient public service which has seen year on year savings delivered with staff to prisoners ratio reduced and prisons which are accepted as a dangerous and violent place to work in. Who is running the asylums?

New Labour must demonstrate its total support to the public sector and return to true Labour morals and not pursue Old Tory policies. All public services should be treated fairly. The Prison Service is a major part of the public service. We are committed to protect the public but it must never be forgotten we are also members of the public. If New Labour wants the continued support of this union in any way shape or fashion, it must change its deplorable attitude towards public sector prison workers. This union is not affiliated to any political party. We have seen in Scotland the way the Scottish National Party (SNP) have kept their promises to this union. We ask New Labour to remember its promises to this union and to the public sector in general. Stop the spin and deal with the professional men and women of this union in a fair and equitable fashion.

Colin Moses
National Chairman

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