Prison pay talks collapse

Talks between the Prison Officers Association (POA) and employers the Prison Service over workforce modernisation and pay have collapsed (see Workplace Report, February 2009, p. 4).

The proposed pay deal of a £50 million sum in return for sweeping changes in terms and conditions has been taken off the table. Concilation through Acas has been rejected by POA members.

“Unfortunately it appears that the Prison Service representatives had a closed agenda which was to save money, deskill the workforce and protect those in authority,” said POA general secretary Brian Caton.

“The POA believes modernisation should be about security, safety, decency and rehabilitation. We were not concerned about the money side of the deal whilst those in authority appeared paranoid about saving money.” He added that the prison service was now left in a state of unrest.