Warders may strike over pay

Aug 17 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

PRISON officers could strike following a national ballot over a pay row.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) members across England and Wales voted for industrial action up to and including strike action.

Its members are furious that a recommendation by an independent review board to award officers a 2.5% pay rise in April was turned down by the Government.

Instead, Whitehall gave the go-ahead for a below-inflation increase of 1.9%.

Colin Moses, national chairman of the POA said: “The morale of staff is at rock bottom. Prisons are bursting at the seams, the level of assaults against staff has risen to more than eight a day and the prisoner to staff ratio has also risen.

“Prisons have become significantly more dangerous places to work and the Government must take action to restore the members’ confidence in their employer”.

If there is strike act- ion, staff at Liverpool’s Walton and Fazakerley prisons could be among those to walk out.