Move to ban prison officer strikes

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The move comes in the wake of recent industrial action by members of the Prison Officers' Association (POA).

Giving evidence to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, Jack Straw admitted the current voluntary agreement by the POA not to strike is failing. He said: "The Prison Officers' Association have refused to offer a guarantee that there won't be further industrial action."

Asked if ministers would consider a statutory ban on industrial action by prison officers in light of that, Mr Straw said: "Yes, that's under consideration."

In August thousands of prison officers took part in a bitter national walkout over pay. They were protesting at the staging of a 2.5% pay rise.

The Government took legal action and jail staff returned to work after the strike was ruled unlawful.

Talks between the Government and POA are ongoing on the pay issue. But Mr Straw has said the independent pay review body would determine prison staff salaries and the Government should not give in to pressures to boost wages.

The Justice Secretary has previously warned prison officers that striking undermined their authority in jails.

The POA has urged the Government to give prison officers the right to restrict or withdraw their labour to return "fairness" to the profession.

The POA branded Mr Straw's announcement an "absolute disgrace" and said the Government would be removing prison officers' human rights by introducing a statutory ban on strike action.