CIRC 062: GENERAL SECRETARY UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 2024

I set out in my Gatelodge summer edition 2024 the POA five-year plan as agreed at Annual Conference in May 2024 at Eastbourne. As part of that plan a crucial part was outlined to restore a Prison Officer right to strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Now that we have a new Government elected the first part of that plan will now be launched at the TUC Conference in Brighton and then at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

The POA will move the following motion at TUC 2024. The motion has been placed as motion 3 on the agenda. The wording off the motion is as follows;

Motion 3: Repeal section 127 Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994

“Congress welcomes the Labour Government's new deal for workers and is committed to ensuring that part of the manifesto is delivered in a timely manner. Congress welcomes the commitment from a Labour Government to repeal the trade union act 2016 and the minimum service levels  legislation, however Congress commits the general council to campaign to also repeal section 127 of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994 which restricts Prison Officer grades in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from  taking any form of industrial action and making it a criminal offence to do so or to induce that action.

Congress notes the right to strike is a fundamental human right under international law and that the POA have now been restricted for 30 years and finds itself under a permanent injunction and contempt of court. This pernicious piece of legislation should and must be repealed given that there are no adequate compensatory mechanisms in place for resolving local and national disputes or effective mechanisms for resolving pay. 

Further, Congress welcomes the fact that the ECHR has accepted an application from the POA on these restrictions and a period of negotiations should take place as a first step between government and union as part of that application.”

I will be speaking at a fringe meeting on this subject matter prior to the TUC commencing on Sunday 8^th September at 1pm. The fringe meeting is organised by the National Shop Stewards Network and this will take place at the Old Ship Hotel. TUC Congress then commences at 4pm on 8^th September 2024 through till Wednesday 11^th September 2024 where the POA delegation will play an active part in proceedings in representing not just the POA but the wider trade union movement.

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE SUNDAY 22^ND SEPTEMBER 2024 THROUGH TO WEDNESDAY 25^TH SEPTEMBER 2024

The POA will have a stand at the Labour Party Conference with material briefings on the right to strike as part of our campaign launch. Our delegation will also be taking part in various fringe meetings to get our message across. This is an opportunity for the POA to campaign together and we will be putting out further information so that all POA members can lobby their MPs irrespective of what party they belong to.

POA BRIEFING AND PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION

I am giving advance notice that we are holding the above reception and briefing in the House of Commons on MONDAY 21^ST OCTOBER 2024 AT 5PM. Further information will be sent out in the coming weeks regarding a cross section of branch officials attending this important reception.

I will keep you updated on any developments in relation to our campaigns. A copy of the POA Briefing for TUC and Labour Conference 2024 can be found on the POA Website.

 

Yours sincerely

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary