The Socialist 24 August 2006

Unite against war, terror and racism

Wars and terrorism

"We won't be treated like dirt"

Strike ballot begins

PFI - Labour's binge profiteering

PFI scams exposed

Protests in Nuneaton

Ballots and lobbies in Pontefract

Sheffield - stop these attacks on children's health

Cuts and sell-offs in Birmingham

The NHS: What we say

Tony Blair takes the biscuit...

Preparing for the new term

Lincoln launches anti-BNP campaign

Liberal U-turn stops tenants' ballot victory

Cream for fat cats - debts for us!

Visteon workers fight for their future

Prison officers vote to strike

Crown Post Offices

National trade union meeting

Previous issues, etc

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Prison officers vote to strike

PRISON OFFICERS have voted to take industrial action, up to and including a strike. 71% voted for action in an 83% turnout in the ballot.

The members of the Prison Officers Association (POA) are angry at government interference in their pay review body, which was introduced in 1993 when the union's trade union rights, including the right to strike, were removed.

The 2006 pay award of 1.6% was the final straw for the 15,000 POA members in 132 prisons who voted for action.

POA general secretary Brian Caton told the socialist: "Even though any strike will be illegal, our members have made it clear they won't allow legal niceties to get in their way in their struggle for better pay and conditions in the prisons."