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Prison officers vote for strike Prison officers call off strike
(about 6 hours later)
An all-out strike in UK jails looks set to go ahead after a union representing prison officers voted for action in a row over overtime payments. An all-out strike in UK jails has been called off following talks between the Prison Officers' Association (POA) and prisons minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
A strike will take place on Friday, the Prison Officers Association says. The strike - over overtime payments - had been due to take place on Friday.
It comes as the POA is due to appear in court for refusing to obey a High Court injunction intended to stop officers refusing to work extra hours. The announcement came as POA leaders were due in court for disregarding a High Court injunction intended to stop officers refusing to work extra hours.
Earlier, the union said the injunction would have to be set aside if the action was to be called off.
Last week, as many as 20 officers at Birmingham's Winson Green jail refused to work additional hours.Last week, as many as 20 officers at Birmingham's Winson Green jail refused to work additional hours.
In response, the Prison Service obtained an injunction ordering unions to remove a circular which advised members not to work outside their shifts.In response, the Prison Service obtained an injunction ordering unions to remove a circular which advised members not to work outside their shifts.
If someone finishes a day at work then they have a human right to come home Colin Moses, POAIf someone finishes a day at work then they have a human right to come home Colin Moses, POA
Prison officers in England and Wales voted in favour of action last month, prompting the POA's national executive committee to vote for strike action across the whole of the UK.Prison officers in England and Wales voted in favour of action last month, prompting the POA's national executive committee to vote for strike action across the whole of the UK.
The union has demanded immediate talks with the government and Prison Service to resolve the dispute but warns the High Court injunction must be set aside if the action is to be called off. Earlier on Tuesday, Colin Moses, national chairman of the POA, said the union would argue in court that forcing prison officers to work overtime was a breach of their human rights.
Colin Moses, national chairman of the POA, said it was "keen to enter into discussions to seek a firm resolve".
He said the union would argue in court that forcing prison officers to work overtime was a breach of their human rights.
"We are saying that we are doing nothing wrong," he said."We are saying that we are doing nothing wrong," he said.
"If someone finishes a day at work then they have a human right to come home."If someone finishes a day at work then they have a human right to come home.
Whatever happens on Friday, we will ensure that prisons are kept safe and secure to protect the public Prison Service spokesman
"The Prison Service is in crisis and my members are fed up to the back teeth of being treated like second-class citizens because of the failings of inept managers, the drive of the Prisons Board to achieve paper targets and efficiencies set by government which will only lead to wholesale problems within the Criminal Justice System.""The Prison Service is in crisis and my members are fed up to the back teeth of being treated like second-class citizens because of the failings of inept managers, the drive of the Prisons Board to achieve paper targets and efficiencies set by government which will only lead to wholesale problems within the Criminal Justice System."
A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are deeply disappointed at the POA's refusal to abide by Friday's High Court injunction.
"Whatever happens on Friday, we will ensure that prisons are kept safe and secure to protect the public."