In this episode retiring NEC member Dave Cook looks back on 30 years’ service to the POA – how he got involved, why the NEC is different to work at a branch level, how the job and the union have changed,  what further change is still necessary, and the high profile issues that Dave was instrumental in  - keeping members safe despite overcrowding and the pandemic.   Dave’s reputation is one of straight talking and telling it like it is.  As you’ll hear, he’s clearly lost none of that passion.   Replacing Dave on the union’s Executive Committee is Phil Hannant.  Phil tells us about the journey that has taken him to the NEC, and his hopes and priorities for his term of office. More information at poauk.org.uk

The POA is campaigning for a Royal Commission into the Criminal Justice system to address the many and inter-locking issues affecting the union’s members – including pensionable age, recruitment and retention, and violence at work.  In this special episode, General Secretary Steve Gillan and Deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson talk about the progress being made and the importance of events like the Parliamentary briefing held on 20 June.   For more information, visit poauk.org.uk

National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan look back at the POA’s annual conference, held earlier this month in Eastbourne.  What were the stand-out debates and contributions?  Which guest speakers had most impact? What are the priority issues following conference? What is the state of the union following this most important of events?  Keynote speeches from the conference are available on the union’s Facebook page and more information is available from poauk.org.uk

In this toolkit podcast, POA DGS Joe Simpson describes the vital role undertaken by Union Safety Representatives, or USRs.  He also discusses why the role is not as complex as it may sometimes sound, and gives guidance on how you can become a USR and the support that is available.  In the podcast, Joe refers to the following – click on the link to find out more: IOSH – Institute of Occupational Safety and Health NEBOSH – National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health SRSC Regs - SafetyRepresentatives and  Safety Committee Regulations TUC Health and Safety Course To find out more, talk to your local branch officers, email [email protected]  or visit poauk.org.uk/news-events/health-safety

In this episode we look at the work of POA members in secure mental health institutions, particularly Rampton, Ashworth and Carstairs.  What is the journey that leads people to this very demanding type of work?  What are the differences between working in the NHS and HMPPS? And how do you organise a ballot when you have members spread across 247 locations?  Members of the Consultative Committee give rare and candid insights.   During the discussion, reference was made to how a high street coffee shop pays more than a qualified nurse, the issue of a 1pence per hour pay rise for certain NHS grades, and the creation of a million millionaires in the UK during Covid.  Click on the links to access articles on each of these. The indicative ballot on the NHS pay offer and revisions in the national minimum wage and national living wage, are also mentioned.   For more information on the union and all the work it does in support of its members, visit poauk.org.uk.    

This episode focusses on the role of dog-handlers on the prison estate, the dogs who work with them and the union’s Dog Handlers’ Consultative Committee. With NEC member Jackie Marshall, and DHCC members Lester Cobley and Michael Doyle. Find out more at poauk.org.uk

In this episode we look at the work of the Operational Support grades, or OSGs. OSGs are the second largest occupational group in the POA but have an extensive list of responsibilities including vital roles in Control Rooms and on Gate duties. Unlike many of their colleagues, OSGs also retain the legal right to take industrial action. To tell us more about the role of OSGs both in the prison service and in the POA, we are joined by NEC member Jackie Marshall and Secretary of the POA branch at HMP Hull, and an OSG himself, Lewis Nicholson. More information at poauk.org.uk

In this special bite-sized edition, National Chair of the POA Mark Fairhurst discusses two new political challenges for the union. The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill being rushed through Parliament will directly affect the ability of those members who still have the right to strike to exercise that right, but will also cause concern for everyone else too. And last week the government published its submission to the Prison Service Pay Review Body.  Mark explains why the government's position is simply not good enough, and what that means for how pay is determined for the POA's HMPPS membership. As Mark says, now is the time that prison staff need their union like never before. More information at poa.uk.org.uk

In this episode, Patrick McGguire from Thompson’s solicitors who works closely with the POA in Scotland explains why any POA member with any legal issue whatsoever should think first of approaching the union’s legal services, and why using “high street, fat cat, no win, no fee” outfits will end up costing members more for an inferior service. Patrick also shares the results of detailed market research on union legal services which shows around trade union members in Scotland alone losing £3m a year in compensation in avoidable legal fees, and AGS Mick Pimblett tells about some important developments in how members access the union’s legal services. More information at poauk.org.uk

The first POA’s Women’s Networking event took place last month. Women activists came from across the UK to learn from each other’s experiences and listen top-drawer speakers such as Clare Mellor, Chief Executive of Thompsons Solicitors, Kudsia Batool , head of the equalities at the TUC, Tracey Varela, MOJ HR business partner and Andrea Mistry from the MOJ’s Tackling Unacceptable Behaviours Unit. They were joined by Sarah Rigby and Jackie Marshall from the NEC, AGS Angela Montgomery and Angela Sinclair from POA HQ. This unique record of a special event contains contributions from 19 of those who participated. More information from poauk.org.uk