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HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, October 16, 2013
PRISONS are failing to recover from Tory attacks on the service over the last decade, POA national chairman Mark Fairhurst warned today.
Opening the union’s annual conference, which is being held under the slogan “cuts have consequences,” Mr Fairhurst highlighted the closure of more than 20 public-sector prisons, outsourcing of maintenance and the loss of over 25 per cent of the workforce.
Mr Fairhurst raised concerns that union branches had brought to the conference through motions on issues including non-existent training and staff safety.
Our members face serious violence, crumbling workplaces and exposure to dangerous drugs — it is outrageous we still cannot legally use our industrial muscle to fight back and defend ourselves, writes STEVE GILLAN
MARK FAIRHURST highlights the main issues facing officers in a long neglected service, and raised by front-line delegates at POA conference last week, including understaffing, violence, bullying and the ongoing denial of workers’ right to strike
Working in a high-risk sector, prison officers’ calls for proper PPE must be heeded – and the POA will be fighting to ensure effective protection at work is delivered, writes MARK FAIRHURST
