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Fresh talks in prison pay dispute Fresh talks in prison pay dispute
(about 1 hour later)
Prison officers' leaders are set for talks with Justice Secretary Jack Straw following Wednesday's surprise strike. Prison officers' leaders are meeting with Justice Secretary Jack Straw following Wednesday's sudden strike.
Thousands of prison staff in England and Wales walked out over the phasing of their 2.5% pay rise in two stages.Thousands of prison staff in England and Wales walked out over the phasing of their 2.5% pay rise in two stages.
The Prison Officers' Association admitted breaching its "no-strike" agreement but said it was a desperate measure by a demoralised workforce. The Prison Officers' Association admitted breaking a "no-strike" deal but said it was a desperate move by demoralised staff in overcrowded jails. Gordon Brown has insisted public sector pay rises have to be paid in stages to keep inflation under control.
Gordon Brown has insisted public sector pay rises have to be paid in stages to keep inflation under control. Entering the talks, union leaders say they expect there will be some frank exchanges in the meeting with Mr Straw.
Union leaders say they expect there will be some frank exchanges when they meet Mr Straw on Friday.
Go and tell a prison officer, who's facing the violence he's facing on a daily basis, that you're not going to give them any more Colin MosesPrison Officers' Association Public sector flashpointsGo and tell a prison officer, who's facing the violence he's facing on a daily basis, that you're not going to give them any more Colin MosesPrison Officers' Association Public sector flashpoints
The Ministry of Justice insists the phased 2.5% rise is not negotiable.The Ministry of Justice insists the phased 2.5% rise is not negotiable.
Ministers were taken by surprise by Wednesday's walkout and the government was in court within hours seeking an injunction to stop the strike.Ministers were taken by surprise by Wednesday's walkout and the government was in court within hours seeking an injunction to stop the strike.
An independent pay review body recommended a 2.5% pay rise, but the government staged that rise, awarding 1.5% in April and the remaining 1% from November. An independent pay review body recommended a 2.5% pay rise, but the government staged that rise, awarding 1.5% in April and the remaining 1% from November, a decision made by the Prime Minister when he was still chancellor.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) said it effectively amounted to a second year of below-inflation pay awards and has not ruled out further strikes.The Prison Officers' Association (POA) said it effectively amounted to a second year of below-inflation pay awards and has not ruled out further strikes.
The prime minister decided to stagger the pay rises when he was chancellor.
Wednesday's walkout by prison officers took ministers by surpriseWednesday's walkout by prison officers took ministers by surprise
Mr Brown said on Thursday: "We have succeeded in tackling inflation and having a stable economy because of discipline in pay over the last 10 years. That discipline will have to continue."Mr Brown said on Thursday: "We have succeeded in tackling inflation and having a stable economy because of discipline in pay over the last 10 years. That discipline will have to continue."
He said the staging of pay awards was an "essential part" of controlling inflation, keeping interest rates low and creating more jobs.He said the staging of pay awards was an "essential part" of controlling inflation, keeping interest rates low and creating more jobs.
"We will do nothing, nothing, to put that at risk. It is an essential element of maintaining discipline in the economy," he said."We will do nothing, nothing, to put that at risk. It is an essential element of maintaining discipline in the economy," he said.
All 129 non-private prisons in England and Wales experienced some disruption during the walkout by about 20,000 staff, which was condemned by the government as "illegal" and "wholly unjustifiable".All 129 non-private prisons in England and Wales experienced some disruption during the walkout by about 20,000 staff, which was condemned by the government as "illegal" and "wholly unjustifiable".
HAVE YOUR SAY It is clear that this seems to be a last resort by the Prison Officers to be heard Kevin Humphreys Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY It is clear that this seems to be a last resort by the Prison Officers to be heard Kevin Humphreys Send us your comments
The POA said the first national walkout in its 68-year history followed "two years of frustration and two years of below-inflation pay awards".The POA said the first national walkout in its 68-year history followed "two years of frustration and two years of below-inflation pay awards".
POA chairman Colin Moses said Mr Brown should "sit round the negotiating table" with them, as he had done with nursing unions and the Fire Brigades' Union. POA chairman Colin Moses said it would take the government £11.5m to settle the dispute. He called on Mr Brown to "sit round the negotiating table" as he had done with nursing unions and the Fire Brigades' Union.
"What Mr Brown wants to remember is, when he places 81,000 people in prison, he places them under the custody of my members, who are being assaulted on average eight times a day," he told BBC News."What Mr Brown wants to remember is, when he places 81,000 people in prison, he places them under the custody of my members, who are being assaulted on average eight times a day," he told BBC News.
"My members have had to take, as many other members of the public had to take, five interest rate rises this year on their mortgages."My members have had to take, as many other members of the public had to take, five interest rate rises this year on their mortgages.
"Go and tell a prison officer, who's facing the violence he's facing on a daily basis, that you're not going to give them any more.""Go and tell a prison officer, who's facing the violence he's facing on a daily basis, that you're not going to give them any more."
As the talks got underway the Ministry of Justice published fresh predictions for the prison population over the next seven years, suggesting that the government's massive building plan for new cells will not ease the current overcrowding crisis.As the talks got underway the Ministry of Justice published fresh predictions for the prison population over the next seven years, suggesting that the government's massive building plan for new cells will not ease the current overcrowding crisis.