We value the important role trade unions play in supporting colleagues, representing members' interests and contributing to a positive working environment.
We are committed to maintaining constructive relationships with our recognised trade unions and working in partnership on issues that affect our people and our organisation.
SPS recognises four trade unions for collective bargaining through established partnership arrangements designed to promote constructive employee relations.
Partnership working allows SPS and trade union representatives to share information, discuss proposals, consider employee impacts, and, where appropriate, reach mutual agreement on issues affecting colleagues across the organisation. The aim is to ensure staff views are heard and considered when decisions are being developed and implemented.
The SPS Trade Union Side (TUS) is made up of three individual trade unions covering all employee pay bands, locations, and operational/non-operational statuses, and these are Prison Officers Association (Scotland), Public and Commercial Services Union and Prospect.
SPS also recognises the Prison Governors Association (Scotland) under a separate partnership agreement.
The POA is the largest union in the UK representing Uniformed Prison Grades, with over 35,000 members in the public and private sectors, including:
PCS is the largest civil service union with around 250,000 members across the UK, including representation of:
Prospect represents 142,000 members throughout the public and private sectors, including:
PGA(S) represents Governors and other senior management, specifically SPS operational bands F to I.
PGA(S) websiteTrade unions which are not recognised by SPS but wish to seek access to SPS workplaces under the statutory right of access should submit their request to [email protected].
To help us process requests efficiently, we encourage trade unions to use the below form wherever possible. However, there is no legal requirement to use our form, and access requests may be submitted in another format if preferred.
We will consider all access requests in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements, and respond within the applicable timescales.