29/08/2007

Prison Officers Walk Out On Strike

Prison officers in England and Wales have walked out on a surprise strike in a protest over pay and conditions.

The strike began at 7:00am on Wednesday and is expected to last at least 24 hours. Staff from 140 jails across England and Wales are involved in the strike action.

The walkout follows a ballot of prison officers earlier this month where around 87% voted in favour of industrial action.

The ballot was sparked after a pay review recommended a rise of 2.5% this year, but the government decided the rise should be staged and reduced the value to 1.9%.

The Ministry of Justice has been granted a High Court injunction to stop the illegal strike. The injunction stated that the Prison Officers Association would have to order its members to go back to work. According to reports, officers at Bristol prison returned to work on Wednesday afternoon, but it has been reported that other officers are continuing with the strike.

A formal response to the injunction from the Prison Officers Association was expected later on Wednesday.

Justice Minister Jack Straw had earlier condemned the strike as illegal and "wholly unjustified".

(KMcA/SP)

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