POA Take Action 2

"hahaha like an ex and unsucessful POA wannabe would have lead people to the picket lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joke. whole blog is a joke now."

"Napos shit. The GS is shit. blah blah change the tune, it's boring now Jimbo."

Yes, sadly the level of debate on here has deteriorated somewhat, but ignoring crap like this, I thought it would be interesting to see what Mike Rolfe has had to say on his Facebook page about yesterday's POA action, especially as we know his policy is one of openness and engagement. Of course many of the the issues faced by HMPPS colleagues are the very same for probation staff:-      

I realise I will most likely be shot down as an antagonist for this post and perhaps even a thorn in the side of the POA but just before team ‘Hate Rolfe’ that seem to troll me on Facebook comment I want to make clear I supported the POA action today and helped ensure that members at my branch were informed of the steps that were likely to be taken and not fearful of the repercussions and I will continue to support my union in whatever action is called. However I do believe that the POA membership deserve some more answers following today’s action. The obvious win is the media coverage, but what else has been achieved?

I’m aware of the negativity that has been displayed towards certain members of our NEC in recent weeks and their personal interests financially have rightly come into question if that affects their standing on issues affecting our membership, similarly difficult questions have been raised in the wake of Birmingham being returned to the public sector, the announcement that colleagues from Glen Parva would not be able to return to a public sector prison and that all new builds will be tendered without HMPPS being able to bid, all these things have seemingly passed under the radar without a backlash and POA members have rightly asked questions. The violence stats have been in the public domain for a while and HMP Bedford has long been on the watch list as a dangerous place to work.

There was no build up to this action, we were not told in any detail what the issues we were fighting against are, what we were demanding and what we have achieved is also not clear. What was clear was that we would not be resisting any injunction and that we would be straight back to work following any action from the feedback at our meetings. We were also told in many various forms that the General Secretary was the individual that had called this action and that it was all on him...another unusual step and one that leaves me suspicious given the recent questions raised about his own suitability to maintain his role.

There are many good people on the NEC, people I have every faith in to try and achieve the best for their members, but I can’t help but think they are also the type of people that would have absolutely no issue with being named and leading on action as a United NEC, so why this was called in one persons name baffles me?

I agree wholeheartedly that the level of violence in the service is unacceptable, that we have insufficient staff but let’s cut to the crux the issue is not being able to recruit anymore it is the abysmal treatment of staff through the theft of their pension, the deterioration in pay and the treatment of staff more generally. If the employers pay well and look after their staff then we will be fully recruited and people will stay in the job and things will improve, frontline staff numbers also need to be at a level that makes staff feel safe, prisons disciplined and empowered to work with prisoners that will bring about safe and successful establishments. Investment is needed in the correct area and OMiC is an opportunity for most local committees to try and steer cash into the areas we heard about today to improve security such as search teams and dog patrols.

POA members rightly deserve answers, calling them into action is no easy feat and asking people to lose half a days salary in support of the unknown will only maintain support for the POA in the interim unless a positive deal is forthcoming in wake of the action. I hope this is the case and I hope that in the days following that we will actually hear what has been asked for, what has been achieved and what good is in it for the members who have made a sacrifice today. I also hope that this was not an opportunity to use the POA membership for deflection from personal scrutiny. Unity is strength, but apathy will easily set in if we are being used in some plot designed by someone to dine out on the latest action in lead up to their next election.

Well done to everyone involved today and let’s hope that things change as a result.

Mike Rolfe

--oo00oo--

There is a lot of backslapping going on regarding this latest protest, but it is important to remember that similar protests have achieved nothing, apart from more staff suffering! On the subject of suffering staff can accept reluctantly that half a days pay will be deducted but might feel better if there elected representatives were to donate a similar amount to a charity which would enforce a special bond of togetherness!

I'm on team POA. Very long message Mike. I'm not sure about some comments. I'm sure that the NEC would have had to agree on any action so I don't think a GS can just go ahead alone and call this. If the employer cedes on some of the issues then it's a success and they've seen today staff have had enough. I'm this time everything should be put aside, stand strong and when some form of normality returns all the other issues and sniping from members will carry on but now stand firm. I also think if allegations of personal interests and finance should be openly approached and those people be given the chance to answer instead of being crucified in this forum.

Well said Mike and bringing an insight into the action called for that a majority of members would not be aware of. When you lead there was no hidden agenda but it appears that membership are being used as pawns in a game of chess that they will not benefit from!!!

That's coming from newly appointed Chairman who jumped ship. I had a lot of respect for Mike Rolfe but my judgement is questionable. And that my own personal opinion.

What did you want the NEC to do?..... tipping staff off would through the brown noses or those who had a vested interest in embarrassing the current NEC.....alerted management. Then you would arrive at a grotesque situation were managers would have been waiting with written orders for staff to go on duty, with the NEC in court before the rest of us would be out of bed. The NEC were in that position and there’s no other way around it

Again; we hear the voice of Mike Rolfe. Again, all words. Bravo.

Good words.

Nicely put Mike.

I wasn’t behind it, I thought it was knee-jerk and ill thought out, but you raise some valid points. It was a mess, it was sweeping, it was without a build up, and again (my opinion) we look like the stroppy, teenage relative of the Civil Service. Had we have gone on “protest” for some of the reasons you list: The pension, Glen Pava, the fact we cannot bid for new prisons, I’d have maybe supported it, but to cite more protection, the day after sentences are doubled is almost embarrassing.

The NEC needs transparency, we need to guide them to what we want, after all we pay them for Christ sake. Maybe we are fortunate at my establishment, but the (now acting) Governor has revamped profiles, forked money for better physical security and is ultra protective and supportive of her staff, today, I felt, was a kick in the teeth to her.

Led a great group of people today, he and they should be proud. However, the NEC on the other hand...Get back there Rolfey... Sooner rather than later.

I am not privvy to the inner workings of the POA. what I will say though is...... I have seen far more comments by people today on the state of our prison system than ever before. If nothing else, this action has brought it to the fore. Now, it is up to the POA to keep it there and do right by their members. Time will tell......

Of course you would have mate, it’s all over the news... But this isn’t the first time our NEC have stamped their feet. Like you say, time will tell. Today, in my opinion was poorly planned, poorly thought out. There is an undercurrent and today was about politics.

Is the individual who called this strike willing to lose half a days pay too?? I doubt it.

It's counter-intuitive like most industrial action but I get the point of it. From speaking to people I know in the service, ex-service and even ex-inmates; it's just getting more and more out of hand.

Everybody will lose pay today including the NEC who are employed by the prison service, we can't really expect our employed staff to give up there wages. A member at Feltham thought the deduction last time and won so we will be looking to him for advise. I feel today was needed as the employer now knows we will take action regardless of there injunction. I believe the NEC did what we have all been asking today and led us. I am a true supporter of mike and want nothing more than to see him back on our NEC where he belongs. The recent concerns raised about some NEC members does need to be addressed but today is a day to be proud of ourselves as the membership truly did show we stand strong together regardless.

Steve Gillan isn’t paid by the prison service. Is he losing a mornings pay?

How can we as a union ask that he loses wages for the day. It would be a gesture to give up his days wages but that is his choice we don't want to start imposing sanctions on our own employed staff.

Isn’t that what’s just been asked of us with little and no information? Every time Mike Rolfe asked us to stand with him he made a donation. The NEC has fought to keep Mike from reelection using our money and today we stood outside and lost a days pay. Steve Gillans name is all over today he should do the same.

Of course it would be his choice and it is something that they should be doing Unity is Strength and all that!

That is very true, Mike did make a massive donation however not everyone is Mike Rolfe. Mike is one of the most amazing and inspirational people I've ever met. He has become a good friend and someone I will always remain loyal too. Steve will never be Mike because they broke the mould with Mike. We can't force them to give there money up and we shouldn't either it's has to be a choice they make.

Great Post Mike and one I fully agree with. My thoughts about some members of our NEC have not changed and as others have said needs looking at. The membership should be rightly proud of their unity and strength today but I have to say most staff would take themselves to a place of safety if the paint on the toilet wall was changed to a colour they didn't like these days. We have had enough and I hope HMPPS the government now see that. I don't want pava or ridged cuffs I want more well paid staff and my bloody pension back.

Brilliant post, we need ongoing action and this current unfit for purpose neoliberal Tory government needs to be voted out. Our members had enough of financial restraints and cuts. Had enough of being attacked and threatened by a growing culture of ruthless and violent criminal behaviour. Had enough of incompetent leadership, had enough of privatisation, had enough of pay cuts and pension reforms. The TUC should have led a national strike but they are submissive. I hope the current NEC continues to apply pressure on the government and hold the current government and the incompetent employer accountable. Vote the Tories out and hold the senior civil servants accountable for the current poor state of affairs we are all in.

We have the same things going on over here and it can get worst, Long hour's and low pay reduction in Benefits, what more could a fellow ask for, that's life with privatisation.

Your message too long IMO. I guess we will find out next week after the NEC meet management.

Mike your words today where absorbed by us all and we know you are thinking of us all not just your own interests!

It's been suggested that someone may be pulling strings and and I and others have seen a raft of people hiding behind false profiles and sniping at the present POA NEC to discredited them.

I agree totally, I believe some people have a vested interest in subtle attacks on the POA ......it seems there are people using aliases who are attacking the NEC......it’s almost like a war of attrition or a silent coup of the sort attempted at Jeremy Corbyn, and is really unbefitting in my opinion. Our national chairman has attributed himself professionally, he puts his members first, second and third..... and puts himself last...... and will remain with his members till the last man falls. His appearance at the select committee and at today’s press interviews, is a true measure of the man ....rest assured when the NEC go into discussions with government, they are going in with the support of the vast majority of the membership. And rather placing banana skins in their way..... support them publicly and loudly.

What a marvellous oratory. Mike you are a master of oratory. I had great faith in you when you became chairman but in all honestly you decided to move on. Do what you decided and move on don't try and recover what you threw away. On these sites there seems to be some who take up the cudgels for you you made your bed lie in it, either support the people in charge or do one.

Everyone else lost money as well. I've never insulted Mike. He could have led us to the next level but he moved on. If he returns and makes a difference that's great. I've no intention of blocking him as he has some really good inputs and if he returns he could add to a really strong NEC.

Mike decided to move on. There's no problem worth that but he can't wind the clock back. If he wants to regain what he had there's a process to go through and there's no problem in that but there seems to be some Mike Rolfe supporters who always say "hail Mike,hail Mike". Mike could have been a magnificent chair ably supported by the NEC they could have moved on, they didn't.

Let the current membership decide because I think you will be very shocked. If Mike wanted back in then I'm very sure he would get a huge amount of votes. I hope he stands for GS because he will get my vote and the vote of my branch without a doubt.

If they want Mike back because I for one will be trying my hardest to get him to agree to stand for election for the GS position.

I’m expecting Mike to stand again at the next general election Laura .... perhaps in a constituency that more reflects his views...... I haven’t any reason to believe otherwise.

Good words Mike and my thoughts when this first broke this morning.

I just hope the next time they call for action they inform me so as not to make me look like a complete idiot in front of my members I am one pissed of Chairman right now.

Think of the brown noses, who would have run squealing to the management....if this wasn’t kept under wraps...... there are people who have vested interests in the failure of the current NEC..... who would have spilt the beans

SG hides behind a 6 figure salary nuff said.