CIRC 072: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2024

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

POA Survey

The NEC have commissioned their own survey that we now encourage all POA members in public sector prisons in England and Wales to complete. It can be accessed in the comfort of your own home or on a smart phone. It will take about 20 minutes to complete, and we wish you to be as honest as possible. The results from the survey will be used as evidence to the Pay Review Body during the next round of pay submissions.

There will be future surveys for all other members in other jurisdictions in the near future.

PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE THE ANNUAL HMPPS PEOPLE SURVEY.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE POA MEMBERS SURVEY ON THE FOLLOWING LINK

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2Y7QPXJ

The survey is open now and will run until Wednesday 16^th October 2024.

OSG Duties

An OSG was recently assaulted in a prison vehicle when they had driven a released convict to the local train station. This practice poses significant risks for staff. Furthermore, escorting released convicts does not form part of an OSG Job Description. If local committees have an agreement in place that allows this practice due to the remoteness of the prison site, please review the risk assessments and safe systems of work to ensure the risks to staff are significantly reduced, this may include no singleton escorts take place. If ordered to carry out this practice OSGs should note they have the right to refuse and if they do refuse, they should immediately contact a member of their local POA committee. Branch officials are reminded that the OSG grade have the right to strike and the NEC will not hesitate to lodge an industrial dispute if staff are not afforded adequate workplace protections.

ISG CONSTRUCTION LIMITED IN ADMINISTRATION

The Ministry of Justice (‘MoJ’) has received notice that, as of 20^th September, ISG Construction Limited has entered into administration.  ISG Construction Limited is a critical supplier to MoJ, supporting both His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Many prisons have refurbishment work and new builds ongoing. The MoJ is activating contingency plans for affected projects.

Pay Award

It has been brought to the attention of the NEC that some staff who have payment plans in place to reduce their overpayments have also had their back pay taken by Shared Services. This practice is illegal without the individual’s permission. The employer is aware and has assured the NEC that this back pay, if taken in Septembers pay, will be reimbursed in Octobers pay. All POA members who have been overpaid and are now reducing that deficit should check their pay slips to ensure they inform HMPPS of any backpay that has been recovered in error. In the first instance staff need to contact SSC overpayments team to demand their backpay is reimbursed.

Day Subsistence

The NEC have been informed by staff working for Learning and Development Group as ‘trainers’ that they are not entitled to claim day subsistence if they are working away from their official permanent station. This is a total misinterpretation of policy in an attempt to reduce costs. All POA members are reminded that they may claim day subsistence in order to purchase refreshments if they work away from their permanent station and meet the criteria for claiming subsistence. Receipts should be kept if receipts are issued, for audit purposes, but there is no requirement to produce a receipt prior to submitting a claim. If any staff have a claim denied they should submit a grievance. 

All the best.

Mark Fairhurst
National Chair