WE MUST ENSURE JOE’S MEMORY LIVES ON

The NEC, POA members and the wider trade union movement are still grieving the loss of POA Deputy General Secretary Joe Simpson. Judging by the volume of emails I have read from all who worked with Joe, dealt with Joe or met him, there is no doubt that he was well respected and valued by all who had the pleasure of his company. HMPPS have been considerably thoughtful with their tributes to Joe, and I personally thank them for their kind words and understanding.

It was typical of Joe to confide in only a handful of people that he was terminally ill with cancer. Those who knew him will understand that this never, ever altered his commitment to the POA or his work ethic. He maintained his sense of humour and positivity in his determination to fight this wretched disease all the way.

It was hoped the treatment Joe received would prolong his life but, sadly, he deteriorated rapidly while recuperating at home after being discharged from hospital. We all thought we would have longer with Joe. We take solace from knowing that Joe is no longer suffering.

I got to know Joe well during a trade union delegation to Columbia in 2018. During that visit, to one of the most hostile countries in the world you could live in as a trade unionist, activist or community leader, we got to see the risks the genuine working-class people were exposed to in their attempts to bring about lasting peace and better living conditions. Joes’ empathy, understanding, candour and wicked sense of humour shone through. He became a close friend and I feel honoured to call him one.

Joe was the type of trade union leader that every POA member should be proud of. He was knowledgeable and professional. He could address a full conference and keep people’s attention, and he was forever challenging the employer and NEC. He wanted the best for the people he represented. He was everything a POA member could wish for. He was in it for all the right reasons and that was blatantly obvious. Joe is a great loss to the POA and will be sadly missed.

It is important now that we support Joe’s immediate family, who will forever be part of the POA. We will be there for his partner Emma and we will ensure that Joe’s name and memory stay alive. To Joe, I say, sleep well. You were a true trade unionist but, more importantly, you were a true friend.

The NEC continues to work on its submissions for next year’s pay award. With inflation levels now stabilising, I fear we will be subject to below-inflation awards that have historically been demeaning and have done nothing to either address morale or improve members’ standards of living.

Barring another economic disaster, I worry that the days of five and seven per cent pay awards will be a fight; one we will tenaciously pursue, but one the government will frown upon. That, of course, will not prevent us from demanding pay restoration.

POA members are chronically behind the rate of inflation when it comes to pay awards, and that has been reflected over the last 12 years as a deficit of at least 12 per cent. That needs to be made up. The deficit for experienced staff who have been closed grades over that period is nearer 40 per cent.

There can be no excuses for not making prison officer pay and related grades more attractive. Future pay awards throughout POA workplaces, particularly within the NHS and private sector, must remain competitive.

When staff leave to join the police, the Border Force, train companies and driving occupations, because salaries are better and working conditions safer, the only incentive left remains a salary that convinces you to stay.

Despite the propaganda from the employer, new recruits barely last longer than two years and experienced staff cannot wait to get out of the door.

We will continue to fight for better pay. Of course, in other industries they can ballot for strike action if the pay offer is unpalatable. We, at this moment in time in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, do not enjoy those workplace rights.

The Parliamentary Reception held in the House of Commons on 21 October provided an opportunity for POA members to highlight to politicians the injustice we have faced as prison officers in England and Wales over the last 30 years. In 1994, our right to take any form of industrial action was removed via the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 127. This was further bolstered by a permanent high court injunction in 2017 which prevents any form of incitement to take any form of industrial action. The House of Commons reception was well attended and included addresses from TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, MP Liz-Saville Roberts, ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan, MP Jeremy Corbyn, UCU general secretary Jo Grady, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, PCS president Martin Cavanagh, Lord Atlee, MPs Sally Jameson and Andy Slaughter and the CEO of Thompson’s Solicitors’, Claire Mellor,

In opposition, Labour politicians agreed that the POA should have the right to strike. Now they are in power, it is time for them to deliver. The European Court of Human Rights has accepted an appeal from the POA to address our right to strike and has written to the government asking it to negotiate with us prior to court action. Let us hope we get an invite and remedy this situation.

Without doubt, the POA remains the most restricted trade union on planet earth. Yet, in spite of these draconian restrictions, we continue to gain benefits for members. We will never repudiate any action from our branches and we will not hesitate to act to protect our members’ safety at work. With that in mind, maybe the best option is to restore our trade union rights, because having none really does not prevent us from acting.

If we did have trade union rights, I would have lodged a trade dispute over HMPPS’ insistence that mandating Bands 3-5 prison officers to administer Naloxone is not a change to our terms and conditions. The last time I checked my job description, it did not include clinical skills. Issuing prescription medication is best left to medical professionals, not prison officers who may make mistakes and subsequently end up in court with zero protection from their employer.

If they have so many volunteers, why the need to mandate it? This is the thin end of the wedge. If we allow this to happen, what comes next? It seems HMPPS think they can include whatever they wish as part of a prison officer’s role. Enough is enough. I have formally lodged a national dispute over this issue.

If POA members did not volunteer for any additional skills, as is their right, then HMPPS would have to pay them for those additional skills. Now there’s a thought!

Members are quite rightly aggrieved and complain when they are late off duty, but some will still stick their hands up and volunteer to provide essential skills to an employer who denies them ad hoc days’ leave, family friendly shift patterns, part-time working and reasonable adjustments, and refuses sick leave excusals. The day is approaching when POA members will fight back and quickly realise they would be so much better off being paid an additional allowance to compensate them for the additional skills they volunteer to provide an ungrateful employer.

As the year draws to a close, I wish to take this opportunity to thank every single POA member, in whichever workplace you inhabit, a heartfelt thank you for all you do, and for the unwavering support you give to me and to the NEC, and for your professionalism and dedication to serving the public.

If the last few months have taught me anything, it is to live life to the full, cherish your loved ones and make your health and wellbeing a priority. I wish you and your loved ones all the best over the festive period and hope you all spend some quality downtime away from work. I will continue to fight for you and will always be there for you, no matter what.

Until next time, take care and look after each other. l