It is unlawful for prison officers to go on strike. "Up to 10,000 prison officers are threatening not to turn up to work on Friday in a protest over pay - despite being banned from taking industrial action". There is a simple solution to this problem, and that is, that the Prison Service should notify these members of staff that should they take such strike action then they will face immediate dismissal.
Ey up John. Strike action is not only an act which should be a human right if only this government would get its act together, but it also an act of class consciousness. People learn from strike action, not only the industrial act of going on strike, but also the nature of the economic and social system they live in.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I can understand your resentment towards these people, taking a Thatcherite stand against them ain't too posditive.
I don't resent them, but when they go on industrial action prisoners suffer.
ReplyDeleteThat's what strikes do John. If no-one felt the impact there wouldn't be a lot of point to it. The employers and their conservative lapdogs always say peopl;e shouldn't strike because it hurts people. Perhaps you should be blaming the employers and the Government rather than prison officers striking for a decent wage.
ReplyDeleteI am sure if they used their imagination they could have an impact upon their employers without taking it out upon the prisoners. I would argue that prisoners are more vulnerable than pensioners. You talk about prisoners officer's striking for a decent wage? They are paid more than their counterparts in the private sector. And, the vast majority of prisoners work for pocket money which is less than kids get outside. I have seen a lot of lazy prison officers in my time, and I am reminded of Dire Straits and Money For Nothing. Many of the prison reforms that would have been beneficial for prisoners were scuppered by the prison officers. I don't recall them being too pleased with me when I set up the Association of Prisoners in direct opposition to the Prison Officer's Association.
ReplyDeleteLegally, they cannot strike because under the Prison Act 1952 they have the power of constables and as such come under the police who also cannot go out on strike. But, I seem to recall them doing so in the 1920s if memory serves me correctly.
When I was a kid and the teachers went on strike we were all sent home.
ReplyDeleteIs this some fiendish plan to reduce prisoner numbers?
More seriously, John, if they all get sacked the prisoners will presumably be looked after by police or more likely military warders. That can't be a good result.