The National Chairman

ISSUE 56, 21st July 2009

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE PAY REVIEW BODY (PRB) FOR PAY AND ALLOWANCES IN 2009/10

Dear Colleagues

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE PAY REVIEW BODY (PRB) FOR PAY AND ALLOWANCES IN 2009/10

The NEC has been made aware of the PRB recommendations, in respect of pay and allowances for 2009/10 for all employees within the remit group, although it has not had the opportunity to fully consider the full report.

We are pleased that the Government has accepted these recommendations in full and not decided to exercise the exceptional circumstances provision. Clearly, if the MoJ, NOMS Board and Prison Service Management had listened to the POA, WfM may have been an acceptable offer instead of one that was overwhelmingly rejected.

Some of the key recommendations from the PRB are as follows:

1.8% for all staff on the maximum in the following grades, OSG, Officer, SO, PO, Night Patrol, Store man, Assistant Store man and Prison Auxiliary Grades.

1.5% on maximum of pay ranges A to G and a compression of pay ranges for grades A to G.

No change to allowances, payment plus and operation tornado.

No change to local pay allowances.

No change to notional rents.

In light of the offer that was put forward by the Government and Prison Service for the acceptance of Workforce Reform, these recommendations should be viewed as a moral victory. You will be well aware, that this Union has always questioned the independence of the PRB. This year, the written submissions and oral evidence timelines made it difficult to second guess what the Prison Service would put forward, on behalf of Government following the rejection of WfM. It was also surprising to learn that Jack Straw gave oral evidence to the PRB, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Government as did Phil Wheatley on behalf of NOMS.

We recognise that some staff will be disappointed by the recommendations, but we must not lose sight of the fact that we have received a consolidated pay award on the Pay Maxima, which is pensionable and will benefit all staff from within the remit groups in the long term. The POA can not be held accountable for the current economical climate in the United Kingdom and Worldwide, but this has impacted on pay rises across the country.

The POA will continue to press for compliance with legislation, in respect of pay and take forward any legal challenge that is possible.

Finally, the NEC will now take the necessary steps to comply with Conference Policy, in respect of balloting the membership to ascertain whether they accept the recommendations or not. Further information in respect of the recommendations will be circulated in due course.

Colin Moses
National Chairman

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