The POA podcast

The POA’s new health and safety structure has now been augmented by a refreshed reporting system for accidents and near misses.  In this episode, Assistant General Secretary Mick Pimblett, NEC members Jackie Marshall and Health and Safety Consultative Committee member Paul Telford from HMP Frankland discuss the importance of good reporting and reflect on how the HSCC has marked a step change in this vital area of POSA activity.  More information at poauk.org.uk. The retired members' survey is still open - screenshot the QR code for access.

The Committee recently hosted it’s first gathering for Retired Members at the Cassa Club in Liverpool.  We hear from the national officials, committee members, retired members and guests who were there on the importance and value of such events, their hopes for the future and the importance of a just-launched retired members' survey - the QR code in the podcast logo will take you to the questionnaire. Original audio recording by Consequential Films. More information at https://www.poauk.org.uk/our-union/retired-members/

National Chair Mark Fairhurst gives a key update on the POA members' survey and prison overcrowding. More information at poauk.org.uk. Running time 11.45s

In this episode, recorded on the day the Government both published and accepted all 14 recommendations from the Prison Service Pay Review Body,  National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan reflect on the first month of the new Labour Government. As you’ll hear, the verdict so far is one of cautious optimism, but no lessening of effort and focus from the union’s leadership in pursuit of a fair deal for members. More information at poauk.org.uk

The union’s annual conference is the most important fixed event in the POA calendar. In this episode we look back at last month’s event with National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan. We also hear from some first-time delegates and first time speakers at conference on their experiences. More information at poauk.org.uk.  Delegates’ sound recordings by Greg McDonald of Consequential Films.

In this episode we look at the role of the union in the annual TUC’s Women’s Conference held recently.  We ask what is the importance of the Conference?  And how does it contribute to the drive for greater inclusivity and equality within the POA? The episode also talks about the campaign for greater recognition of fertility and baby death issues.  You can get advice and support from Tommy’s, a charity that offers support to all women and couples through baby loss and fertility issues with expert midwives as well as an online community: https://www.tommys.org/about-us/contact-us?msclkid=822cb93753ab10012421df095be01159.    Additionally there are two cross government and civil service networks: https://khub.net/group/cross-government-working-groups-fertility-at-work-and-pregnancy-loss-and-death-of-a-baby The Civil Service Infertility Support Community is open to all colleagues who are dealing with infertility or undergoing fertility treatment, regardless of their journey stage or outcome. The group offers a confidential, safe space for colleagues to share their experiences and to hear from others on a similar journey. The community meets monthly, via Teams, usually the second Thursday of the month. Colleagues can join via Teams or by dialling in anonymously and are invited to share only what they are comfortable sharing. This can include just listening. This group is open to all people who are going through or have experienced fertility treatment, including partners. Contact Heather Wareing ([email protected]) for more information. Colleagues can also access a support conversation via your manager or through EAP support services on 0800 019 8988. One of the POA’s delegates to the conference, Alice Lee, is also happy to share her experiences, as described in the podcast.  She can be contacted through Jackie Marshall and Sarah Rigby as the NEC leads for this area of work, or directly at [email protected].

In this special episode, National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan share the background to the latest overcrowding crisis, the forceful response from both the union and senior HMPPS management - and the potential risks of the current period of political “purdah” between now and the General Election on 4 July. Mark and Steve also set out the union’s priorities  and hopes for the post-election period and discussions with whichever government follows the one that is currently just leaving office. More details from poauk.org.uk

The union has recently reviewed and renewed it’s Health and Safety Consultative Committee and already the changes are having a positive effect. In this episode, National vice-chair Dave Todd, NEC member Jackie Marshall and lay committee members Paul, Zaz and Jade talk about how the committee works hard to deliver for members, the current key health and safety challenges, and what drives the committee members to get involved in this area of the union’s work. More information from poauk/health-safety

As part of the union’s campaign to support and empower women members, a second Women’s Networking Event was held earlier in the year. In this episode, Amy Crook from HMP Long Lartin and NEC member Jackie Marshall talk about why this event has become such a popular feature in the union’s calendar – ranging from what participants like Amy get out of bringing women members together in a mixture of formal and informal sessions, to all the work that takes place behind the scenes to make the events successful.  For more information visit poauk.org.uk

Weapon related assaults of prison staff have increased from 10% of all assaults in 2010 to 25% in 2022 – and knife and blade attacks have increased by 16% in the most recent year that statistics are available for.   Despite awful assaults with life-changing consequences, the response of the employer and of government has been slow.  The union is awaiting the outcome of pilot exercises on the removal of razors.  This is expected imminently but the union has persistently said that this over complicates and delays what should be a straightforward decision.  The signatories to a Parliamentary Early Day Motion on the subject clearly agree. In this episode, national chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan set out the union’s campaign to banish blades from jails, why there is some optimism about progress towards this, and what members can do to most effectively keep themselves safe in the meantime. More information on the ongoing campaign is to be found in April’s issue of Gatelodge and on the union’s website where you can also find more on Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work, and the union’s Parliamentary work.