Prison officers reject new working conditions

THE Prison Officers’ Association yesterday rejected a renewed proposal for new working arrangements including a massive reduction in working hours.

The proposal failed to address the issue of how a safe, effective and enhanced prison service could be run with a reduction of 1.3 million hours worked by prison officers, the POA said.

The union has requested further clarification “on this fundamental ‘reduction in hours worked’ issue,” the POA said.

“It was decided by the National Executive Council not to put the proposal to the POA membership for ballot,” the spokesman added.

The issues, which are unacceptable to the union were described as the flawed concept by management of annualised hours; the proposal to deliver an enhanced service combined with a massive reduction in hours and the proposal for time off in lieu of pay.

The proposal to introduce short-term temporary prison officers and unacceptable levels of flexibility in relation to rostering was rejected.

“The proposal fails to address many of the substantive issues raised by the Prison Officers’ Association during negotiations,” the union said.

Last May, the union said the then timeframe for reform proposed by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell was unacceptable and unmanageable.