CIRC 014: PRISON OFFICERS’ RIGHT TO STRIKE

As you are aware, in 1994 the right to strike for Prison Officers was removed by the then Tory Government via S127 of the Criminal Justice Act. The incoming Blair Government committed to reinstating the right to strike in England and Wales but failed to follow through on its pledge. Meanwhile the Scottish Government reinstated the right to strike for Prison Officers there in 2015.

The right of Prison Officers to withdraw their labour is a fundamental human right recognised by the United Nations and should be reinstated for all UK Prison Officers.

As the Employment Rights Bill returns to the House of Commons former Labour Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell MP has submitted amendments to the Bill that would reinstate this basic human right for Prison Officers in the rest of the UK.

Please contact your local MP, urging them to support the amendments. This can be done by following the link below:

https://unityconsulting.good.do/prisonofficersrighttostrike/poarighttostrike2025/

Please make all POA members aware of this campaign and ask them to support it, along with their families and friends.

Thank you for your anticipated support.

 

Yours sincerely

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary