CIRC 102: GENERAL SECRETARY UPDATE

I would like to thank the membership for electing me as General Secretary for a fourth term of office. It is an absolute privilege to represent the POA in that position and I will treat the next 5 years of office as if it was my first as there will be many challenges over the coming years and nothing stands still, and I will never take for granted the trust that you have placed in me.

  

VOLUNTARY RECOGNITION AGREEMENT BETWEEN POA AND MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING CORPORATION (MTC) MANSTON

On behalf of the POA NEC I negotiated a Voluntary Recognition Agreement in the private sector with the above-named company and I look forward to many new members at Manston within the custody and detention setting joining the POA and being represented by the largest trade union in the UK for Prison Officer Grades and within the ever-expanding custody and detention in the Home Office setting. I look forward to a constructive relationship with MTC and I am sure the company and POA will go from strength to strength with an agreement that is built on mutual trust and respect. MTC run many prisons in the United States and were content to sign an agreement with the POA who they recognise as having a wealth of experience in the custodial setting. The agreement was signed after months of negotiation on 12^th December 2024. We look forward to representing our new members in that workplace.

 

CSIS BID MONEY 2024

Earlier in the year I made a bid to the CSIS Charity fund for money to assist our retired members alongside our Welfare Fund. I am pleased to say that the bid was accepted, and we have received £10,000 to assist our retired members in an unrestricted way. Obviously, we will be accountable for the money, and it will be spent in a wise and practical manner. The Central Benevolent fund in Northern Ireland will be given £5000 to assist our retired members needs in Northern Ireland and £5000 will be given into the bank account of our retired members fund to assist retired members in England, Wales and Scotland. I am extremely grateful to the CSIS who have been extremely positive throughout a sustained period in assisting the welfare of our members current and retired.

 

CENTRAL ARBITRATION COMMITTEE

I am pleased to announce that I have been appointed to the above committee as a Member (Worker) Appointment. This appointment has been confirmed until 30^th September 2029.

 

ALLEGED OVERPAYMENTS BY HMPPS

Many of our members have raised this issue of alleged overpayments. It appears that many of our members are being pushed into accepting ridiculous payments because of this with no apparent explanations as to how the alleged overpayments have occurred in the first place. No one at Shared Services or Pay and Reward wants to even investigate why these alleged over payments have taken place. The payroll system is so complicated that many members do not even realise they are being overpaid. It also transpires that no one wants to take responsibility for errors in payroll that is causing stress and anxiety to many of our members. As far as I am aware no one has ever apologised or held accountable for this and there are so many cases occurring this could eventually become as big as the post office scandal. I am aware of cases that run into tens of thousands of pounds allegedly being over paid. My advice to any member who finds themselves in this position is very simple if you do not believe the error is your fault challenge the over payment through the appeal system and have representation at the appeals hearing through the local committee. I have witnessed appalling situations, and it is an absolute scandal and no way to treat prison staff. In some instances, our members are having payments imposed on them. Simply do not accept that position as they are breaching their own rules in respect of this. Do not simply take it either that the over payment is always accurate ask for a complete break down and challenge it at every opportunity and in some cases, you may wish to do a subject access request into your pay. The system is flawed with not only over payments but under payments as well and I am determined to get answers as to why there are so many mistakes occurring. The only people suffering because of these poor systems and lack of accountability are our members. Please check every payslip you receive and if you believe it is incorrect put it in writing and keep a record. If you do not get satisfactory answers keep writing to either SSCL or Pay and Reward until you are satisfied with the outcome.

 

PAY REVIEW BODY SUBMISSIONS

Many of you will have read in the media about Government evidence to pay review bodies. I would urge the pay review bodies themselves to ignore Government and Employers submissions in the NHS and indeed in HMPPS. The POA have put our written submission in which is far more realistic than any Employers or Government’s evidence and we look forward to giving our oral evidence in January 2025. The Prison Service Pay Review Body must demonstrate that it is truly independent of Government and make recommendations on the facts of the evidence. If they do, then they will reject the ridiculous submission from Employer and Government.

 

Finally, I hope all POA members, and their loved ones have a lovely festive season and a Happy and Healthy 2025. Thank you to all POA members for your loyalty to the POA and for everything that you do.

 

Yours sincerely

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary