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Prison officers reject jail plans | Prison officers reject jail plans |
(40 minutes later) | |
Prison officers have voted to reject the government's controversial workforce modernisation plans by five to one, the BBC has learned. | Prison officers have voted to reject the government's controversial workforce modernisation plans by five to one, the BBC has learned. |
The plans, which affect England and Wales, involve compulsory fitness tests and a new pay and grading structure. | The plans, which affect England and Wales, involve compulsory fitness tests and a new pay and grading structure. |
Out of 25,000 ballot papers, over 20,000 Prison Officers Association members voted against, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said. | Out of 25,000 ballot papers, over 20,000 Prison Officers Association members voted against, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said. |
The voting figures will be independently verified on 20 February. | The voting figures will be independently verified on 20 February. |
The POA will now request a meeting with Justice Secretary Jack Straw to discuss the proposals. | The POA will now request a meeting with Justice Secretary Jack Straw to discuss the proposals. |
'Economic climate' | 'Economic climate' |
The Ministry of Justice wants to give low-ranking staff, to be known as "operations officers", more responsibility as part of a £1bn efficiency drive. | The Ministry of Justice wants to give low-ranking staff, to be known as "operations officers", more responsibility as part of a £1bn efficiency drive. |
All prison officers would have to pass an annual "bleep" test where they run between bollards at a certain speed. | All prison officers would have to pass an annual "bleep" test where they run between bollards at a certain speed. |
But the union says it is concerned that safety would be put at risk and believes putting inexperienced staff in charge could lead to unrest. | But the union says it is concerned that safety would be put at risk and believes putting inexperienced staff in charge could lead to unrest. |
It also argues that the fitness tests are unnecessary, given the demands of the job. | It also argues that the fitness tests are unnecessary, given the demands of the job. |
The pay offer is worth 10% in cash terms over three years, including a 4.75% consolidated increase over that period, the Ministry of Justice said. | |
Prisons Minister David Hanson described it as "an extremely good deal for prison staff, particularly in the current economic climate, and a good deal for the taxpayer as it delivers long-term efficiency changes". | |
The Prison Governors' Association is due to recommend whether or not its members should accept the deal and leaders have expressed reservations. | The Prison Governors' Association is due to recommend whether or not its members should accept the deal and leaders have expressed reservations. |