The POA and the Durham Miner's Gala

General Secretary Steve Gillan looks back over his year asthe TUC President, and reflects on what it means for the POA to have one of our own in this role for the very first time.  More information at poauk.org.uk.

The Durham Miner’s Gala is a fixed part of the POA’scalendar.  Every July for the last 140 years, trade unions have gathered, with brass bands and banners, in a demonstration of trade union solidarity that is widely loved and admired. In this episode, General Secretary Steve Gillan, NEC members Jackie Marshall and Roger Moran, David from HMP Low Newton and Patience from HMP Nottingham share their experiences of the Gala. If you’re thinking of coming along but are not quite sure, they all have some advice to offer.  More information from the POA and the Gala organisers.

In this episode we look at the training provided by the POAfor local representatives.  Much of this is delivered in partnership with the GFTU – the General Federation of TradeUnions.  But what exactly is the GFTU and how does its collaboration with the union give the best trade union education and training for POA members?Deputy General Secretary Mick Pimblett joins Gawain Little(General Secretary) and Henry Fowler (Assistant General Secretary) of the GFTU in discussing the collaboration with the POA, how the training is actually delivered, and what the so-called “Workers’ Retreat” is like as a venue for such important work.More information from the POA and GFTU websites.

On the eve of the launch of the annual POA members’ survey*,National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan discuss why the union survey is so important and valuable.  Put simply, the POA survey asks the questions HMPPS do not and would not.  More information at poauk.org.uk The on-line survey opens on 1 August and closes at the end of September.*The survey covers operational grades in England and Wales based in public sector prisons

In the new Ask The Chair podcast episode, National Chair MarkFairhurst responds to questions on a wide range of subjects – regional pay, allowances for specialist grades, staff safety when on escort duties, problems in the youth custody estate, and the right to strike and “68 is too late” campaigns. Also, questions on the viability and desirability of prison officers being linked to police officers’ terms and conditions and will England beat Norway at the weekend.  Thanks to everyone who submitted questions and apologies that we didn’t get to every single one.  Don’t forget you can ask your question byemailing [email protected].  Please include your name and location so we can check membership details.  

If you’ve enjoyed a POA video, listened to one of the POA podcasts, engaged in any way with the union online at X, or Facebook, accessed the POA website or responded to a call to action associated with a POA campaign, then that is the POA communications strategy in action.   But where does this strategy come from, and how can the union’s leadership know it is working? In this episode, Deputy General Secretary Mick Pimblett, website designer Tom from Plus Purple, film-maker Gregg from Consequential Films and campaigns expert Neil from Unity Consulting give us a guided tour the POA’s communications work – all underpinned by the belief that the union is stronger when communication is two-way, and takes place for members as well as with them. More info at poauk.org.uk

It is now two years since a major change to the regime of health and safety inspections in HMPPS.  A key element of the new approach has been the employer and union working in partnership. But what does this mean in practice, and what difference does it make?  Can a new way of working lead to lasting cultural change on health and safety?NEC members Jackie Marshall, Phil Hannant and Roger Moran share their experiences with HMPPS’s Jason Morley. Visit poauk.org.uk for more on this and all POA campaigns.

The annual Valley Parade Memorial football tournamentcommemorates the fire at Bradford City FC in 1985 which cost 56 lives.  The POA is at the heart of maintaining thetournament and was instrumental in it’s creation.  Former National Chair John Boddington and NEC member Jackie Marshall discuss the importance of the event, and we also hear from a local government officer, tournament referee and a local “soccer mum” on why the tournament, and the POA’s support for it, is just so important.  More details at poauk.org.uk

Ask The Chair is the opportunity for POA members to put their questions directly to POA National Chair Mark Fairhurst.  No question is off limits and the first Mark knows about it is when the question is read out on the show.  This time round we have questions - and forthright answers – on the 68 is too late campaign, OSG overtime (spoiler alert – you are entitled to overtime, and not obliged to take TOIL), the joys and challenges of POA conference and as always, a pointed question on the fate of Mark’s beloved Everton FC. More info as always at poauk.org.uk. Email your questions to [email protected], and don’t forget to include your name and establishment.

The issue of Separation Centres was thrown into sharp focusfollowing the horrendous assault on three prison officers at HMP Frankland last year.  The government commissioned the Hall report as a result and it’s 13 recommendations were published toward the end of 2025.  In this episode we catch upwith NEC Vice-Chair Dave Todd and NEC member Phil Hannant to discuss what improvements we can expect to see – and what further changes are necessary but more challenging.  More information at poauk.org.uk