Received from: POA
Merged into composite C04
Congress recognise and welcome the Employment Rights Bill which in many cases strengthen the right of workers in the workplace. The POA broadly welcome what is contained within the Employment Rights Bill but are concerned about what is missing, most notably any recognition that prison officers lack the basic human right to withdraw their own labour as a last resort.
Congress notes that since a Labour government have been in power they have informed the POA that they do not intend to restore the right to strike for prison officers in England/Wales or Northern Ireland and they are prepared to defend Tory legislation in the European courts. This was after the general secretary of the TUC wrote a letter offering a potential way forward on a without prejudice basis to ascertain whether agreement could be reached with government and employers that would mean there was no need to rely on Section 127 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 which restricts prison officers from taking any form of action.
Congress condemns government for not exploring potential avenues of agreement with TUC intervention and Congress vows to continue the campaign to bring government to the table for negotiations on a without prejudice basis.
POA