Ask The Chair

In the first episode of a new POA podcast venture, national chair Mark Fairhurst takes questions from POA members and reps. The first Mark knows of the subject matter is when the question is read out to him on the show. This time round Mark is grilled on pensions, support for branch officers, changes to overseas’ nationals’ right to work in the UK and where his football loyalties lie. Members from Belmarsh to New Hall, Nottingham to Dumfries have their say - isn’t it time you had yours? Email your question to [email protected]

In the latest POA podcast, National Chair Mark Fairhurst sets out the process for submitting and securing the union's pay claim through the Prison Service Pay Review Body. Mark decries the deficiencies in the employer's approach and the jeopardy facing approximately 2000 officers affected by the government's changes to the level of income needed to remain in the UK as a working overseas national. More details at poauk.org.uk.

General Secretary Steve Gillan reviews a successful Trades Union Congress for the union, and looks forward to the challenge and opportunity of his election to the TUC Presidency, including mobilising against Reform and the far right.  TUC Assistant General Secretary Kate Bell offers insights into the role and importance of the President. More information at poauk.org.uk

In this episode, we get the inside track on a great "win" for the union - 147 members at Gatwick IRC were found to have had their employment rights breached when the employer, Serco, imposed a pay deal in 2023 rather than continuing negotiations with the POA. Featuring Gatwick IRC Branch Secretary Heran Limbachia, Iain Birrell from Thomson's solicitors, GS Steve Gillan, DGS Mick Pimblett and National Chair Mark Fairhurst. More details at poauk.org.uk.

Since 2023, Chesterton Grant has been providing expert advice to union members on mortgages, pensions and estate planning – all subjects where a little help can make a big difference.Steve Wright leads for Chesterton Grant on pensions and estate planning, and Dave Rooney who is responsible for the company’s work on mortgages, set out why this should be of interest to many if not all POA members.More information poauk.org.uk/our-union/member-benefits/financial-services/

National Chair Mark Fairhurst reviews Labour's first year in office. What progress has been made on key POA concerns and what is left to be done? Spoiler alert - the dial has been turned in a positive direction, but there is still a long way to go. More information at poauk.org.uk

POA members will probably be familiar with POA Protect, the organisation that partners with the union to provide a wide range of members’ services and benefits.  But how well doyou know what those services are and what benefit they could be not just to members but to their families too?  In this episode Alison from POA Protect gives us the inside track on just what is available. You may be pleasantly surprised. More information here. Join the union at poauk.org.uk/join

New research work by trainee Forensic on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was unveiled at the union’s recent annual conference.  Out of a survey size of 400, a frightening 51.7% were found to be exhibiting signs of PTSD.   In this episode report author and trainee ForensicPsychologist Laura Wright tells us more about the report’s findings, what an appropriate response might look like and how to know if you may be carrying the symptoms of PTSD. To access support for PTSD speak to your GP or EAP provider.For urgent help, call Samaritans on 116 123. Further information and advice isavailable from PTSD UK (https://www.ptsduk.org)Lifelines Prison Service (https://www.lifelines.scot/prison-service)Hub of Hope (https://hubofhope.co.uk)To learn more about the union's work on this issue, visit poauk.org.uk 

National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan reflect on an eventful and important POA annual conference.  What were the stand-out moments? Which issues commanded most attention? And what happens to all the motions adopted by Conference when they are passed to the NEC?  More information at poauk.org.uk

The cost of non-compliance massively outweighs the time spent getting and keeping RMPs in place and in this episode, recorded at the end of April, NEC member Ian Carson explains the importance of RMPs, and how POA members and reps can use them to create a safer working environment. As Ian says, "hope is not a strategy on which to run a prison." More information at poauk.org.uk