8 February 2008

The Story behind Prison Officers Rights

Brian Caton sets the record straight...

The Prison Officers’ Association – formed in 1939 – never took industrial action until last year, when they walked out “unofficially” in the summer. They were disgusted at the shabby way they were being treated.

As their General Secretary says “We don’t to go on strike. We want a fair procedure.” They want to be treated with dignity and respect for the difficult job they do.

Form 1939 to 1994 they had the right – as much as any other workers – to take industrial action. The Tories had been in power for more than a dozen years and then decided it was necessary to deprive the prison officers of their fundamental rights. It was nothing more than the next union bashing act for the Tories.

Tony Blair promised to change things for the better before New Labour were elected. They were true to their word – for a time. The prison officers were given more rights and the signed an agreement not to strike in return for a fair procedure. The procedure produced an independent assessment for a 2.5% pay rise in 2007…but Jack Straw reneged on the deal.

In the Lords in January, one of their Lordships was driven to ask: “So the question is: why did the POA sign up to it? Because it thought it had a deal, a quid pro quo, whereby it inherited better, more equitable pay negotiation procedures. What has happened since? The Minister for Justice justifies breaking his agreement on pay by saying that there were “exceptional economic circumstances”. Thus the arbitrary power to scupper an agreement is seen by the POA as a reneging on that agreement.

Now Jack Straw says he will take away the prison officer rights again just as Michael Howard did. The ban will be introduced via an amendment to the criminal justice and immigration bill, currently going through parliament. The justice secretary believes it is "judge proof" and will not fall foul of European human rights law. He knows it is undermining the Prison Officers fundamental human rights, but hopes to do it in a way that the European Court of Human Rights cannot interfere.

We shall see. The prison officers will not give up without a fight.

As Brian Caton says: “Our members face multiple murderers on a daily basis – they are not afraid of Jack Straw.”

Further information

www.poauk.org.uk

United Campaign to Repeal the Anti Trade Union Laws, 39 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JD | info@unitedcampaign.org.uk