Prison officers secure ‘landmark agreement’
Unions have reported a number of health and safety victories over the last month.
Earlier this month, the POA prison officers’ union secured “a landmark agreement” in the Prison Service. It says this commits managers to a legally-binding procedure for addressing urgent health and safety concerns for the first time. The “important victory” ensures the union can advise members of their health and safety rights without being accused of acting unlawfully.
The new protocol results from the successful settlement of a claim arising out of health and safety concerns raised by POA members at HMP Lindholme in October 2018. The union says reps had tried to engage with local prison management on behalf of members concerned about unsafe conditions. The Prison Service brought a legal claim against the POA for unlawfully inciting industrial action.
The union brought a counter claim about inadequate numbers of staff having to deal with high levels of drugs, weapons and assaults. It says it achieved its main objective in the litigation — a clear protocol which confirms its right to advise members about their health and safety rights and to take their concerns to management to try to resolve them.