Prison officers in strike action
The government says the officers are acting illegally
Thousands of prison officers in England and Wales are striking in a protest over pay, the association representing them has said.
The Prison Officers' Association says the strike, which started at 0700 BST, will go on for a minimum of 24 hours.
It says it is staging the strike - which follows a ballot of members - after pulling out of a no-strike agreement with the government.
The government said the officers were acting illegally.
The strike is the first national walkout in the association's 68-year history.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA), which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of its members who had been due on duty had joined the strike.
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TrueBlueTerrier
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Just been catching it on News 24 and they are calling it unannounced - liars.
What really sickened me was that the Liebour Party are going to get am injunction against the POA why don't they sit around the table and talk to them. Even the Conservatives said they were not surprised by the strike and call Jack Straw incompetent. (rare moment for me as I agreed with them
)
What really sickened me was that the Liebour Party are going to get am injunction against the POA why don't they sit around the table and talk to them. Even the Conservatives said they were not surprised by the strike and call Jack Straw incompetent. (rare moment for me as I agreed with them
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TrueBlueTerrier
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Prison officers face legal action over walkout
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/ ... 903686.ece
Prison officers face legal action over walkout
PA
Published: 29 August 2007
Thousands of prison officers staged a lightning strike today, sparking a fresh crisis in the service and likely legal action by the Government.
Members of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) across England and Wales walked out at 7am and staged protests outside jails to air their grievance over pay.
The union bitterly attacked the Government for deciding to pay a recommended 2.5% pay rise in two stages, reducing the value of the award to 1.9%.
The strike was illegal and the union expects to face legal action by lunchtime after Justice Secretary Jack Straw confirmed he was considering "all available steps" to halt the action.
Prisoners remained in their cells at most of the 131 jails hit by the strike, court cases were cancelled and families were told that visits would not be possible.
Prison governors and other managers were called in to provide emergency cover after the POA reported "massive support" for the walkout.
The strike took the Government and Prison Service officials by complete surprise, with the POA announcing the action less than an hour before it started.
The POA had its right to take industrial action taken away by the Conservative government in 1993 and even if it could strike it would have to give seven days' notice before any action.
The dispute has been brewing for months after POA members voted by almost 9-1 in favour of strikes in protest at this year's pay award.
An independent pay review body recommended the 2.5% pay rise but the Government decided this should be made in two stages of 1.5% in April and 1% in October.
The POA said this was the last straw for prison officers already suffering low morale because of rocketing prison numbers and daily attacks staff in prisons.
Colin Moses, the union's chairman, said: "The morale of staff is at rock bottom and the decision of the Government to stage the pay award was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"This union is carrying out the rights of its members and the right of every worker to withdraw their labour."
Brian Caton, the union's general secretary, said: "This Government has failed to deliver promise after promise to our union and today it is reaping all that it has sown.
"It is unforgivable that a Labour Government should treat public services and workers with such disdain.
"POA members are dealing with the people society can no longer cope with. They are working in ever more dangerous and violent environments, with assaults on staff increasing to an average of eight per day."
But Mr Straw said: "The strike action is deeply regrettable and wholly unjustifiable. We have been actively trying to engage with the POA through talks and regular meetings and yet this action came without warning.
"We are urgently considering what other action to take in respect of this unannounced and unlawful action by the POA. We will take all available steps to ensure that this strike does not impact adversely on our primary duty to protect the public."
In Kent and Sussex, more than 1,000 officers in 12 jails joined the strike. The worst affected jail is Elmley, a Category C prison which houses more than 950 inmates, where "well over 300" officers have walked out, according to the POA.
More than 100 officers massed outside Armley Jail in Leeds, where about 1,000 inmates were being kept locked in their cells this morning.
Kirk Robinson, chair of Leeds Prison Officers' Association, said almost 100% of the officers rostered to be on duty were taking part in the action, protesting that their rights had been taken away, leaving them vulnerable to mistreatment.
In Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, more than 2,000 prison officers were on strike, the POA said.
Whitemoor, Norwich, Chelmsford and Highpoint jails were among those affected.
Charles Bushell, leader of the Prison Governors Association, said the action would have a major effect on some jails and could cause a virtual "lockdown" in some establishments.
"The problems will not come with breakfast, which normally comes in pack form these days anyway.
"The problems will start at lunchtime. Then it will depend how many people are working.
"Governors in individual establishments will have to make up their minds about what they can do today.
"In some places almost everyone is a member of the POA and will not work, it will be just the management and one or two others."
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents instructional officers and administrative support staff in prisons, sent a message of support to the POA.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We understand and support the motivation behind today's industrial action by POA members. Below-inflation pay awards leading to pay cuts in real terms are completely unacceptable and is a problem that PCS members delivering vital public services also face.
"Like POA members, PCS members are prepared to stand up for fair pay and the services they deliver, which is why your fight is our fight.
"The Government need to recognise that they cannot continue to use civil and public servants as an anti-inflationary tool by beginning to value them with fair pay."
Prison officers face legal action over walkout
PA
Published: 29 August 2007
Thousands of prison officers staged a lightning strike today, sparking a fresh crisis in the service and likely legal action by the Government.
Members of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) across England and Wales walked out at 7am and staged protests outside jails to air their grievance over pay.
The union bitterly attacked the Government for deciding to pay a recommended 2.5% pay rise in two stages, reducing the value of the award to 1.9%.
The strike was illegal and the union expects to face legal action by lunchtime after Justice Secretary Jack Straw confirmed he was considering "all available steps" to halt the action.
Prisoners remained in their cells at most of the 131 jails hit by the strike, court cases were cancelled and families were told that visits would not be possible.
Prison governors and other managers were called in to provide emergency cover after the POA reported "massive support" for the walkout.
The strike took the Government and Prison Service officials by complete surprise, with the POA announcing the action less than an hour before it started.
The POA had its right to take industrial action taken away by the Conservative government in 1993 and even if it could strike it would have to give seven days' notice before any action.
The dispute has been brewing for months after POA members voted by almost 9-1 in favour of strikes in protest at this year's pay award.
An independent pay review body recommended the 2.5% pay rise but the Government decided this should be made in two stages of 1.5% in April and 1% in October.
The POA said this was the last straw for prison officers already suffering low morale because of rocketing prison numbers and daily attacks staff in prisons.
Colin Moses, the union's chairman, said: "The morale of staff is at rock bottom and the decision of the Government to stage the pay award was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"This union is carrying out the rights of its members and the right of every worker to withdraw their labour."
Brian Caton, the union's general secretary, said: "This Government has failed to deliver promise after promise to our union and today it is reaping all that it has sown.
"It is unforgivable that a Labour Government should treat public services and workers with such disdain.
"POA members are dealing with the people society can no longer cope with. They are working in ever more dangerous and violent environments, with assaults on staff increasing to an average of eight per day."
But Mr Straw said: "The strike action is deeply regrettable and wholly unjustifiable. We have been actively trying to engage with the POA through talks and regular meetings and yet this action came without warning.
"We are urgently considering what other action to take in respect of this unannounced and unlawful action by the POA. We will take all available steps to ensure that this strike does not impact adversely on our primary duty to protect the public."
In Kent and Sussex, more than 1,000 officers in 12 jails joined the strike. The worst affected jail is Elmley, a Category C prison which houses more than 950 inmates, where "well over 300" officers have walked out, according to the POA.
More than 100 officers massed outside Armley Jail in Leeds, where about 1,000 inmates were being kept locked in their cells this morning.
Kirk Robinson, chair of Leeds Prison Officers' Association, said almost 100% of the officers rostered to be on duty were taking part in the action, protesting that their rights had been taken away, leaving them vulnerable to mistreatment.
In Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, more than 2,000 prison officers were on strike, the POA said.
Whitemoor, Norwich, Chelmsford and Highpoint jails were among those affected.
Charles Bushell, leader of the Prison Governors Association, said the action would have a major effect on some jails and could cause a virtual "lockdown" in some establishments.
"The problems will not come with breakfast, which normally comes in pack form these days anyway.
"The problems will start at lunchtime. Then it will depend how many people are working.
"Governors in individual establishments will have to make up their minds about what they can do today.
"In some places almost everyone is a member of the POA and will not work, it will be just the management and one or two others."
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents instructional officers and administrative support staff in prisons, sent a message of support to the POA.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We understand and support the motivation behind today's industrial action by POA members. Below-inflation pay awards leading to pay cuts in real terms are completely unacceptable and is a problem that PCS members delivering vital public services also face.
"Like POA members, PCS members are prepared to stand up for fair pay and the services they deliver, which is why your fight is our fight.
"The Government need to recognise that they cannot continue to use civil and public servants as an anti-inflationary tool by beginning to value them with fair pay."
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Spartacus
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ROCKY
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IWW Fellow Worker
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deadbox
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National Strike day ?
All we need is for a few more UNIONS within the public sector to get their acts together and ALL call a NATIONAL 24 HOUR strike....TOGETHER, we could have a greater impact, getting the Gov. to listen, 2% aint enough....Inflation is DOUBLE that !
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L Tommo
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This is a moral Question..
I feel like i could back the REAL SCREWS but the fact that do what they do i have always said i couldnt do there job of locking people away for certain crimes that are all about law and not real crimes on society... BIG AL n lil adam.. Have committed crimes against the Queen and her Royal Mail in my book.. SO the law should bang them up.... So on the law and how it is implemented i cant agree with it.. I know we need prisons to lock up pedos and rapist and serial killers... Or before we hang em.... And i also know society needs to punish the wrongdoer.. I still cant feel happy doing that job.... SO??????????????? I better either go with my natural instinct OR look past this and the fact that Working class people are doing a job that is stressful and not something many could do. let alone would do... And deserve better pay and working conditions.... A hard one...???
We work for the establishment... So do they.. We use to be civil servants.. They still are...
My background says NO FECK EM... My head says back em.... I think a poll is needed on here...
OUT
We work for the establishment... So do they.. We use to be civil servants.. They still are...
My background says NO FECK EM... My head says back em.... I think a poll is needed on here...
OUT
L TOMMO.... ILLEGITIMIS NON CARBORUNDUM........
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EAST LONDON MAIL CENTER-ISHHHH
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dvbuk55
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Well I have to disagree because I would support them all the way. The nature of their work may not be pleasant but it would be wrong to consider they are the reason criminals are locked away, or that they necessarily agree with the regime under which they work. Pretty much like us. There must be a very great proportion of POs who are ex-servicemen who find it hard to get work on the outside. The Prison Service offers security and full time employment, such as Royal Mail once did - but no longer.IWW Fellow Worker wrote:Or me.Spartacus wrote:One group of workers along with the police I could never support.
I'd support any group of workers who stand up for what is right.
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pilsbury
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TrueBlueTerrier
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Channel 4 are saying that there is a possibility of a Winter of discontent and they also stated that despite it being against the law the Police are actually talking about going on strike as well.
Come on everyone out - follow where the Postal Workers lead.
Come on everyone out - follow where the Postal Workers lead.
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DGP1
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lovejoy
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hope so
Hope he does call an election. Will create massive pressure point for him. They'd like to crush us but we could easily (most of us) last until Oct. If Brown is planning an October election then the odds are he's already told Leighton and Crozier to strike a deal!
Does anyone remember the silence pre-way forward agreement being made???!!!!
Does anyone remember the silence pre-way forward agreement being made???!!!!
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DGP1
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TrueBlueTerrier
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Just done a search for News articles on Strikes on the BBC site and came up with this list of those who are either ballotting, talking about, or are actually on strike. The list I got was:disgruntledpostie1 wrote:Does anyone think Brown will call an election if so many workers are striking or talking about striking
Postal Workers
Nurses
Police
Prison Officers Association
Local Government Workers
Atomic Energy Authority's workforce at Dounreay
Maintenance workers at Heathrow and Gatwick airports
S&N UK's Berkshire brewery
London Underground Workers
ROMEC
About 700 mental health workers in Manchester
The Orkney Ferries
Electricians at Heathrow Terminal 5
Scotland's Cumbernauld Theatre
Welwyn Hatfield Council's housing maintenance administration team
Bolton Council Workers
So there is a groundswell going on.
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