We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to call on the Government to remove the anti trade union legislation which disadvantages POA members and call on the Government to restore the POAs full Trade Union Rights.”
Details of Petition:
“Prison Officers have been denied full trade union rights since 1993, we ask; why, to what end and for what purpose? More to the point, should this position continue? We say no and urge you to support the POA in their petition to the Prime Minister to rectify this industrial relations anomaly. Why are Prison Officers and Prison Custody Officers treated differently to other essential service providers, such as the Fire Service and Health Workers? We don’t know and believe that we should be treated as equals and trusted as Public Sector workers delivering a service for the public and the Government. All that we have ever asked is to be treated fairly and equally and recognised for the work it delivers on behalf of the public..”
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
Thank you for signing the e-petition on trade union legislation and the POA.
As you may be aware, since this petition closed, the Government has re-introduced legislation which means that prison officers cannot take industrial action. This was necessary because the POA withdrew from a voluntary agreement not to take industrial action.
The smooth operation of the prison system is crucial to the stability of the wider Criminal Justice System, and the role of prison officers is very important to protecting the public and upholding the law. The Government’s legislation in this area is in accordance with EU and international law, and similar measures can be found in the constitutions and laws of many other European countries.
Industrial action in the Prison Service has in the past led to staff and prisoners exposed to severe disturbance, escapes and damage to property. The strike action in August 2007 had a substantial impact on the operation of the public sector prison service, including cancellation of court appearances, extended use of police cells and serious disturbances at HMPYOI Lancaster Farms, which resulted in £220,000 of damage. This demonstrates the risk to public safety and to prisoners’ welfare that industrial action carries, and why the Government has a responsibility to prevent it.
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