The National Chairman

ISSUE 49, 30th April 2009

MARKET TESTING, CLUSTERING, BENCHMARKING, SPECIFICATION AND COSTING PROGRAMME

Dear Colleagues

MARKET TESTING, CLUSTERING, BENCHMARKING, SPECIFICATION AND COSTING PROGRAMME

Firstly, I would like to thank the NEC for all their efforts in contacting branches to co-ordinate branch meetings to discuss the above on the 29th April 2009 and also to thank those branch officials that carried the work forward at very short notice.

The POA is a key stakeholder and it is vital that we are treated fairly and with respect for the professional work we carry out within the Criminal Justice System.

The underhanded methods of the Government, NOMS and the Prison Service to cut staff, contract out services and prisons to the private sector whilst paying lip service to your safety and that of prisoners and protecting the public is abhorrent.

Previously, the POA have been taken to Court by the Government, NOMS and the Prison Service for standing up for your rights. At one of the Court hearings the Judge said it was the right of a trade union to persuade its members to follow its policies and as National Chairman, on behalf of the NEC, I intend to do just that.

Attend for work at your Officials start time.

This has been an ongoing issue for POA members for many years and it has been well established that it your contractual obligation to attend for work at the start time of your shift and that the start time is at the gate. It was pleasing to note that on the 29th April the Prison Service Management managed our Prisons without putting staff or prisoners’ safety at risk when staff started work at their official start time at the gate.

Attend for work at your Official start time.

Profiled Work

All establishments have profiles and staffing compliments to manage what is expected of them and that is quite right and proper. What is completely inappropriate is for non-profiled work to be undertaken at the expense of your time-off. All too often this is under the guise of “it will improve our rating, when really it is purely through mis-management”. All work should and must be profiled. If it is not, you should not do this work unless it is to preserve life and or maintain security. Please note however that you must obey a lawful order when given one as not to do so will put you in danger of disciplinary action.

Work only on profiled work.

Payment Plus

The replacement of CSH with Payment Plus was supported by the NEC. What was not supported was the linkage to an imposed Grievance Procedure PSO 8550. The NEC has stated that they will monitor the Procedure and challenge any injustice. As the Prison Service openly state that recruitment and retention of staff is not an issue and with the rising unemployment figures, no one should work any extra hours for pay under the Payment Plus policy.

We should demand full staffing and assist the Government in getting the economy moving.

No one should volunteer to work any extra hours for pay under the Payment Plus policy they should opt out.

Meal Breaks

All staff and employees are entitled under the Working Time Regulations to have a meal break away from the workplace; you should do this for your own welfare and health. Obviously, if you leave the workplace you must be at the gate to re-start your shift at the end of your break.

Have your meal breaks away from the workplace.

Additional Hours/TOIL

The POA have been challenging the abuse of additional hours and Bulletin 8 for many years.

The goodwill of staff has constantly been abused; let us bring this to an end. Because of the announcement of the Market Testing and Clustering and the privatisation of prisons there is a reason for change. Demand your TOIL back within the terms of Bulletin 8 and only work additional hours in accordance with Bulletin 8 your contractual right. Write to your Governor and demand your rights.

Work to the terms of your contract.

Conclusion

The POA cannot and must not stand aside and allow the wholesale privatisation of public sector prisons and or other work places.

We must stand up for public services, fight privatisation and challenge the Government, NOMS and Prison Service on their policies to feather bed the private sector.