PR 254:POA DEMAND EQUAL TREATMENT ON TRADE UNION RIGHTS

The POA welcome todays Government announcement regarding their intention to repeal the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act,2023. However, the repealing of this Bill does not affect POA Members who are still subject to some of the most pernicious legislation which removes the rights of Prison Officers to take any form of Industrial Action.

The policy of this Government is that minimum service levels (MSLs) unduly restrict the right to strike and undermine good industrial relations. The introduction of the 2023 Act was quite rightly, met with widespread condemnation from employers and trade unions. Many employers across different sectors pointed to its unworkability and impact on employers’ and trade unions’ abilities to negotiate and come to resolutions on disputes.

“Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA stated;

“The Government is committed to promoting more positive industrial relations to ensure workers have a voice. The upcoming Employment Rights Bill will remove barriers to effective collective action and strengthen the rights of working people by empowering workers to organise collectively through trade unions. However, the removal of this Act will make no difference to POA members. The POA call on the Government to remove the disgraceful stain of Section 127 of the Criminal Justice Act, which prevents our members from taking ANY form of Industrial Action” 

Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the POA stated:

“If the Government want to usher in a new era of partnership that sees trade unions, employers and government working constructively together in co-operation and through negotiation, Section 127 of the Criminal Justice Act, which prevents my members from taking any form of Industrial Action must be removed.

If the Employment Rights Bill is an important part of Government’s plan for growth and to raise living standards for everyone, everywhere, POA members cannot be excluded from this. The POA will not rest until we get justice. Our fight will continue and will go on regardless of support from the wider Trade Union movement.”

 

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For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                020 8803 0255 Option 7