POA signed a no-strike agreement in 1993
 

It is headline news today - that a Prison officers strike is going on due to arguments over pay - What's new?? However, the Government argues that the strike is unjustifiable because the POA signed a no-strike agreement in 1993. In a statement, Jack Straw called the strike illegal, irresponsible and wholly unjustifiable. But he said the Prison Service had contingency measures to ensure the 131 prisons affected would remain secure.

The Ministry of Justice said the injunction prevented the POA from inducing, authorising or supporting any form of industrial action which would disrupt the operation of the Prison Service in England and Wales. Officers at some prisons returned to the cell-blocks when they were given details of the injunction.

POA members in Bristol returned to work after holding a meeting outside the city's jail. In Liverpool, prisoners climbed into the roof space above offices but they were encouraged to come down when a small group of officers left their picket line to deal with the problem. A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "Three prisoners climbed the roof of an office building at 2pm.

"The incident was resolved almost an hour later.

"A small number of prison officers went into the prison to deal with the incident. There was no need for police assistance."

[I think this is outrageous personally! They are like the Police. They shouldn't strike - Surely this can be sorted out in a better way? ]

The Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath MP said:

"Industrial action can only exacerbate the chaos the Government has created in the prison service.

"Strikes can never be appropriate in prisons, but it is no good ministers bleating that it is unlawful if they cannot do anything about it.

"At the same time, it cannot be right to ignore in a cavalier fashion the concerns of prison officers.

"Ministers, and in particular the Treasury, have created this crisis; they must now intervene directly to sort it out before the public are put at risk."

http://www.libdems.org.uk/news/indus...ath.13119.html

When confronted with why they broke the agreement they said the Government had broken their non-verbal moral agreement to keep them happy?

I know someone who works in Frankland Prison (Category A High-Risk, one of the ones affected mainly) and they didn't strike. Actually, a large majority of them DIDN'T strike, but the media will jump on bandwagons and moral panics.

I only just found out about it on Channel 4 news. I was shocked that Prison Officers would EVER be allowed to strike. On the news they also said that the Police may do the same - [over pay] We are only talking about a small percentage 0.5% or something around - But that can be quite a bit actually. Also, prison officers get a higher wage packet than new Police officers. I was surprised about that? If the Prison officers get their way - I can only assume that the Police and other emergency services could follow. Remember the tragic Fire-Brigade strike?

Let the strike continue.It means a 24 hour lockdown and no playing footy,play station and all the over nice things the cons get!

Also means that those not petty enough to stand outside like a schoolyard strike against teachers have their work cut out more.