JAIL STRIKE THREAT
Guards’ bid for more pay and protection
Prison officers are on the verge of taking strike action in protest over pay and working conditions.
The guards’ union – POA Scotland – will hold a special delegates conference in Southport, Merseyside, to discuss plans for a walkout by their 3000 members.
Prison officers want their pay brought into line with police officers, who can earn up to £10,000 a year more.
POA Scotland has already rejected a pay offer of three per cent from the Scottish Government. The demand for industrial action has come from hard- pressed guards at Barlinnie prison in Glasgow, which is the most overcrowded jail in Scotland. They have been backed in the strike call by colleagues at Dumfries jail.
Prison officers were notified on Friday about the conference – on May 14 – and proposal for a ballot of members. Industrial action could take place as early as June.
The threat also comes amid concerns over the rising number of attacks on guards by inmates.
Andy Hogg, of POA Scotland, said: “You can see from this call by Barlinnie the strength of feeling that exists from prison officers around the level they’re paid in comparison to other uniformed services. They’re consistently exposed to an increasingly hostile and overcrowded environment. “We need an immediate and substantial pay rise.”
The Scottish Prison Service said: “Pay discussions are ongoing with trade union partners. We provide a range of support measures to staff who have been assaulted on duty.”
The Scottish Government said: “Pay and conditions for prison staff is a matter for the SPS.”