Prison workers strike (From Witney Gazette)

Prison workers strike

PRISON officers at Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester, and at Huntercombe Young Offenders' Institution, near Nettlebed, have been involved in a wildcat national strike.

It is understood more than 40 officers at Huntercombe, the UK's largest young offenders' institution, took part in the strike, as well as an undisclosed number at Bullingdon.

The walk-out was over a staggered 2.5 per cent pay rise, which the Prison Officers' Association, which is behind the strike, said would equate to a below-inflation pay increase.

The Ministry of Justice yesterday won a High Court injunction to stop the strike, which saw picket lines mounted outside jails across the country.

A number of staff involved with healthcare, catering and the fire service remained on duty at Huntercombe during the strike action.

No-one from the Prison Officers' Association was available to comment yesterday, but the group advised strikers across the country return to work at around 7.30pm.