WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON?

General Secretary reflects on Cost of Living Crisis and a new Prime Minister.

At the time of writing this article we await the outcome of 150,000 Conservative party members deciding who the next leader of their party is and by default the next Prime Minister. It will not make any difference to the lives of POA members who the next leader of the Tory party is as our members are gripped by the reality of a worsening cost of living crisis that affects their lives on a daily basis with no credible solutions by Government on how to deal with the crisis throughout the summer. Instead, they navel gaze and boast about how tough they are going to be on workers rights. The promises of more trade union red tape and restrictions should not come as any surprise. It is almost as if they blame workers for the cost-of-living crisis and we dare not demand pay rises that keep pace with inflation but at the same time big business make obscene profits and move their money out of the UK to safe tax havens and shareholders and CEOs the only people who gain out of the cost-of-living crisis with obscene pay rises for CEOs and massive rises for shareholders.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH CAMPAIGN

Many trade unions have taken action over the summer months including but not restricted to RMT, ALSEF, UCU, UNITE, CWU, barristers and many other groups of workers who have smashed the statutory ballot thresholds and each and every worker that has taken strike action as the last resort has my full solidarity and support. The POA restricted since 1994 for the right of Prison Officers and Custody Officers in England/ Wales service and Northern Ireland to take any form of legitimate industrial action is a stain on the British establishment and an archaic and pernicious piece of legislation. But I suppose because the POA are a strong and united trade union the establishment for some reason with both Tory and Labour administrations when in power denying us of our basic fundamental human rights and that is to withdraw our labour. Nevertheless the POA will continue to campaign and challenge this pernicious piece of legislation until it is finally removed. If a devolved administration in Scotland can remove the legislation then Westminster surely can do the same. However, where we have the right to strike and it is the will of our members in those sections then we will take action subject to achieving the statutory thresholds for those ballots. Workers are starting to unite under the banner of the Enough is Enough campaign which I fully endorse.

POA SAY FAREWELL TO GENERAL SECRETARY JOHN CLINTON IRISH POA

I have known John Clinton for over 20 years not just as a fellow General Secretary but a man who has been a great friend. We have had a very close relationship, with John addressing POA Conference on many occasions, with us swapping ideas and strategies as both unions although separate had so much in common and we assisted each other over many years. I have had the pleasure of speaking at the Southern Ireland Conference on many occasions as have other national officials on behalf of the POA. John Clinton has decided to retire and I wish him a long and healthy retirement – he thoroughly deserves the rest.

POA WELFARE FUND

The POA Welfare Fund is a fund that was set up in 2003 and nearly 20 years later is has gone from strength to strength with just over £1.2 million in the fund. Funded by the members for the members. I sit on the welfare committee with ex General Secretary David Evans, Honorary Life member, Mick Ricketts, retired member and Honorary Life member, Stewart McLaughlin (Wandsworth), Wendy Price ( Drake Hall), Jaswinder Singh Nagra, (Gartree) and Preeti Doshi Accountant from GFTU. All our applications and donations that we deal with on a monthly basis are dealt with in the strictest of confidence whether it be applications from retired members or active members who are eligible to make an application. The POA Welfare Fund has charity status, and we work with other organisations to enhance the best experience for our members. One thing we have all noticed is the depth of this wretched cost of living crisis that afflict some of our members and whilst we cannot service debt which is not permitted within the scheme rules, we will always look sympathetically at each case on its own merits and assist our members in their time of need. It is a wonderful committee where we have helped many members over the years in their time of need and long may that continue. This fund typifies everything that the POA stand for in looking after its membership.

DURHAM MINERS GALA

Key workers from across the trade union movement were the focal point of attention at this years Big Meeting. I am extremely grateful to Phil Hannant (Frankland) and Jackie Hannant (Frankland) for representing the POA at the Gala and participating with video material which can be found on the POA website. They represented the POA magnificently throughout and I am grateful to Dave Anderson ex MP and the Durham Miners Association for recognising that Prison Officer grades and OSGs played a big part during the pandemic along with other vital key workers that were also represented on the day throughout the trade union movement.