THE FUTURE IS OURS

The unity we saw at the conference is vital as we move forward, continuing to fight for the pay recognition our challenging, dangerous and unique job description deserves

Annual conference 2026 proved to be a successful week with some healthy debates and first-time delegates proving once again that the future of the union looks very promising.

It was a pleasure to see so many conference ‘virgins’ get up and speak, debate and deliver for their branches, and I cannot thank delegates enough for the obvious sense of unity that reverberated around the conference hall. That unity will be vital in the months ahead as it is clear that we continue to fight for everything we achieve. Nothing is ever handed to us.

Whichever workplace POA members inhabit, they continue to deliver for the public. Our private sector colleagues are dealing with employers more concerned with profit and share prices than staff safety. Immigration removal centres deal with an unknown quantity that, understandably commented on by Jonathon Hall KC, could include terrorists entering the country to radicalise or plan atrocities, yet our brave members in these centres do not even receive anti-terror or radicalisation training to help them spot the signs. Our members who transport prisoners all over the country and Europe continue to suffer from increased pressures and a reluctant cohort who so often spill their frustrations over towards staff, while our members working in secure hospitals all too often have to deal with the repercussions from trying their best to deal with a ‘patient’ who in any other world would be classed as a violent, dangerous psychopathic offender.

GOVERNMENT MUST RESTORE OUR UNION RIGHTS

Our prisons continue to suffer from the threat of drones, drugs, increased violence and staffing shortages, despite the employer insisting we are at 97% of our full staffing compliment. Even prisons that have over-recruited cannot run a full regime because of sickness levels, temporary promotions and staff on detached duty. To put it plainly, our prisons are in a right old mess and show no signs of improvement.

One of our main themes at conference was to ramp up the pressure on this government to restore our trade union rights. It is no coincidence that industries that have the right to strike have secured improved pay offers. The probation service has agreed a 6% pay award while other industries such as the junior doctors continue to fight for more despite achieving a rise of over 28% in pay. We are struggling to restore our pay to the levels we have missed out on since 2012, which amounts to a staggering 12.6%, and that’s just to keep pace with the rate of inflation. We want to surpass inflation so we can work to live, not live to work. I’m afraid a 3.6% pay award is an absolute insult and displays how out of touch with reality this review body really is. It’s a pity we don’t all work for Lord Timpson, as his family empire have just enjoyed annual dividends of more than £22m; I wonder how much of a bonus and pay rise his employees will now enjoy?

LENNY’S TRAGEDY SHOWS DANGER NEVER ENDS

The threat to staff outside of the workplace was recently highlighted by the abhorrent murder of an ex-Officer Lenny Scott, who had resigned more than four years ago from his position as an Officer at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool. Lenny was a diligent colleague who did not succumb to the threats and bribes, yet was targeted by an ex-convict four years after leaving the job and gunned down in cold blood. I know the threat you all face. Social media posts threatening you, convicts whispering things to you about your home address, handing you notes, following you home from work or attempting to intimidate or assault you when they recognise you in a pub. This threat is real and imminent and that is why I need your help to report all of these threats you receive both inside and outside of your workplaces. In order to compensate you for this threat we will continue to ask for a risk allowance, but I need evidence to prove how serious and regular this threat is. Please provide me with the evidence I need to force this review body to pay you for the risk you now face. All incidents should be forwarded to nicola@poauk.org.uk.

MAKE TIME TO FORGET ABOUT YOUR WORKPLACE

Finally, as summer approaches I wish to take this moment to thank you for everything you do and request that you take some time out to enjoy some good weather with your friends and family, unwind, relax, recuperate and totally forget about your workplace.

We will continue to fight for you wherever you work. Until next time, look after each other and all the best. In solidarity.

MARK FAIRHURST
NATIONAL CHAIR