CIRC 050: GENERAL SECRETARY UPDATE

It has been a while since I last did an update. I recognise the National Chair Mark Fairhurst does a monthly update so there is little point in being repetitive but there are some important issues for me to report to you on.

 

NEC ELECTIONS

There is currently an election with many candidates standing for 2 positions. I wish all candidates all the very best and thank them for putting themselves forward to represent the membership at National level. The most important thing the entire membership can do is simply exercise your right to vote. This is your trade union and each member irrespective of where you work should vote and I encourage you to do so. The legislation currently states that Trade Union ballots for Executive members must be conducted by postal vote. Your ballot paper should have arrived at the postal address you stated. In many cases that is either your home address or work address. Have your say and vote in this election it only takes a few minutes to do so.

EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL SUCCESS

This was a huge victory for the POA in the Employment Tribunal and came about after the POA decided to lodge an Employment Tribunal claim back in 2023 after SERCO in our view contravened Section 145B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Consolidation Act 1992. The Tribunal was held between 4th to 6th June 2025 where written evidence and oral evidence was considered. Oral evidence was given on behalf of the POA by the lead claimant and Branch Official Heran Limbachia who works at the detention centre at Gatwick Airport. I also gave evidence on behalf of the POA. The Employment Tribunal panel in a reserved judgement on 23rd July 2025 agreed with the POA unanimously that our complaints were well- founded and awarded 148 POA members who were listed as claimants £5,128.00 each in compensation. This effectively will cost SERCO (£753, 816) for imposing a pay rise when collective bargaining had not been exhausted. Throughout the last 2 years we were expertly advised by Iain Birrell (Thompsons Solicitors) and at the hearing by the excellent KC from Old Square Chambers Ms Camille Ibbotson (Counsel). Heran Limbachia was excellent giving his evidence and did his branch proud. The NEC from start to finish backed this case as it met the merits of our legal aid scheme. It was a long, drawn-out process but worth it for our members in the end. Just like the Injury to Feelings claim on pensions the POA are the only Trade Union in the criminal justice system to take such cases. In respect of the Injury to Feelings claim millions of pounds have been secured for our members in compensation. The POA are a fighting trade union on behalf of our members and these are just a couple of cases that demonstrate we will never give up and where we have merits in a claim under our scheme rules we will pursue claims against employers and Government to protect our members interests irrespective of where they work.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE POA

Over the last 3 years we have seen the POA membership increase year on year in every country where we operate in the United Kingdom and in each workplace. We have secured numerous voluntary recognition agreements with a variety of different employers within the Criminal Justice System, NHS and Immigration Services. As of today, our full membership is 32,952 and retired members of some 3,800. Of course, I am delighted that collectively our hard work is paying off and that many people place their trust in the POA by becoming a member. There has been an overall increase of 3000 individuals over a 3-year period that is excellent growth by any standards, and I thank our hard-working local branch officials for their continued influence in this growth. The POA is a growing trade union and one of influence by being the largest recognised Union by many employers in the NHS and Criminal Justice System and Immigration services.

IMMIGRATION CHANGES IN HMPPS AND NHS

From the 22nd July 2025 Government introduced changes to the sponsored visa scheme which increased the threshold on salary which may affect some POA members who are on visas. I have written to the Secretary of State for Justice with the POA concerns about this announcement. It has become clear to me from HMPPS communications that they themselves are unclear on how many individuals will be affected by these changes. I firmly believe this is an ill-thought-out piece of legislation that could potentially destabilise HMPPS and the NHS where the POA also have members. Recruitment and Retention are essential for the stability going forward and this change may well jeopardise HMPPS. As soon as I get a response from the Secretary of State, I will update the membership accordingly. HMPPS have put out advice on this issue as the employer and I urge individuals in the first instance to familiarise themselves with those guidelines until the POA get further updates on this issue.

POA WELFARE FUND

The POA welfare fund goes from strength to strength and after 22 years of running many of our members in their time of need are assisted on a confidential basis. I just want to give a polite reminder to our members when filling in applications that you must give as much information as possible so that the committee can fully understand what the application is about. It is also imperative that the application is endorsed by the local committee otherwise it will not be considered. The Welfare Committee does not pay debt off for individuals as that is not what it was brought in for and the constitution does not allow for debt or indeed private healthcare funding. Help us to help you by providing quality applications that is clear on what the request is for. If you need assistance in filling the forms out your local branch committee will assist you in the preparation.

REVIEW OF STATE PENSION AGE

Dr Suzy Morrissey has been appointed to prepare an Independent Report making recommendations on a framework to allow Government to consider future State Pension age arrangements in the light of the long-term demographic pressures the country faces.

As you know Prison Officer and related grades retirement age are linked to the state pension age which will soon be 67 years of age and then 68 years of age. There has been much speculation that the state pension age will increase, and some commentators have suggested that it could rise to 70 years of age and beyond. The National Chair Mark Fairhurst and I have written a joint letter to Dr Suzy Morrissey highlighting our plight with regards to retirement age being linked to state pension age and seeking a meeting with her so we can advance our concerns. We also have a meeting with the Permanent Secretary Jo Farrer next week and that will be on the agenda. Our voice must be heard on this pension injustice.

 

Yours sincerely

 

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary