Full trade union rights have been restored to prison officers in England, Scotland and Wales, the government has announced.
In line with a commitment made by former home secretary David Blunkett at the Prison Officers Association (POA) conference in 2003, parliament has disapplied Section 127 of the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994, which banned prison officers from striking.
Prisons and probation minister Paul Goggins said: “This is the culmination of much hard work between the POA and the Prison Service… which allows me to restore full trade union rights.”
Prison Service personnel director, Gareth Hadley, said: “This is a significant step forward in our partnership with the POA.
“I look forward to continuing the constructive work with all our unions to deliver business change and improved performance.”
