News Room

POA Circular 23/2026 was promulgated on 23^rd March 2026 as part of our ongoing Campaign to have our Right to Strike Reinstated and explained that the POA would be distributing pre-printed postcards to all our members.

As per POA Circular 23/2026, here is an update on new Right to Strike Campaign materials including:

Following the Special Delegates Conference in March 1996, the Executive informed delegates that they would be seeking "two candidates" nominated by branches to attend the TUC Conference annually.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.

Following the adoption of Annual Conference Motion 86/2025.

The Leaders of the Prison Officer’s Union have slammed UK Government Ministers accusing them of nauseating hypocrisy following the announcement by The Prison Service Pay Review Body that Prison staff will receive a 3.5% pay increase for the coming year.

The ban on Prison Officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland being able to take industrial action is a breach of their human rights, an influential European Committee has found. 

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 11^th March 2026 for your information.

We are informed by some members that where non-payment cases have been escalated in relationship to bereavement or terminal illness that lump sum payments are now being paid into bank accounts, regular monthly payments should follow.

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) monitors compliance with the European Social Charter, protecting social and economic human rights in Council of Europe member states. Composed of 15 independent experts, it reviews national reports and decides on collective complaints to ensure national laws adhere to the Charter's principles.