Government Takes Prison Officers Association to Court for Contempt
I have just been notified that the Government is taking the Prison Officers Association to the High Court today for contempt of court because the Home Secretary is claiming the union is taking industrial action. The Tories took away the right of prison officers to take industrial action. This abuse of the civil liberties of prison officers was condemned by Labour in opposition and New Labour oppposition spokespeople promised that this anti trade union legislation would be removed from the statute book.
9 years on and New Labour in government has not only failed to live up to its promises in opposition but is now using the Tories' legislation against the POA.
Many in the POA rightfully feel a sense of betrayal. They are deservedly angry.
What is even more inexplicable is that the POA members were not threatening strike action or anything that in normal parlance would be considered industrial action. They simply did not wish to continue undertaking additional work on a voluntary basis.
The heavy hand of the Government is destroying industrial relations in the justice sector both in prisons and the probation service.
The Trade Union Freedom Bill, which I have assisted in drafting and co-ordinating in Parliament, aims to restore basic trade union rights to the POA.
It's time now to moblise in support of the POA and the enactment of the Trade Union Freedom Bill.
9 years on and New Labour in government has not only failed to live up to its promises in opposition but is now using the Tories' legislation against the POA.
Many in the POA rightfully feel a sense of betrayal. They are deservedly angry.
What is even more inexplicable is that the POA members were not threatening strike action or anything that in normal parlance would be considered industrial action. They simply did not wish to continue undertaking additional work on a voluntary basis.
The heavy hand of the Government is destroying industrial relations in the justice sector both in prisons and the probation service.
The Trade Union Freedom Bill, which I have assisted in drafting and co-ordinating in Parliament, aims to restore basic trade union rights to the POA.
It's time now to moblise in support of the POA and the enactment of the Trade Union Freedom Bill.
posted by John at 2:16 AM
2 Comments:
After spending 12 years in jail for a crime I did not commit, I also became well aware of the failings within the prison system. Yes there are good and bad prison staff, as in any organisation, but because our prisons are so overcrowded now and understaffed, the work of prison staff has become intolerable. They do need a voice and they should be consulted and listened to - rather than changes and decisions being made by white collar workers who have no concept of what goes on in prison! The current state of our penal system is at breaking point and far too many people are sent to jail when an alternative would be far more productive. Prison staff are not equipped to take care of mentally ill prisoners - we need to take account of the self harming and high suicide rates in prisons - numbers have to be reduced if there is ever going to be a possibility that prison can do some good. As it stands now it is merely 'containing'. Nothing is gained by sweeping the problems under the carpet, which is exactly why the powers that be want to control union plans!
All trade unionists have to stand shoulder to shoulder with the POA on this - Blair ducked their question at the TUC and now New Labour are showing their true anti-union colours.
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