Prison officers strike for more pay, ‘fair go’

Prison officers staged a 24-hour strike outside Broome Regional Prison last week as part of a Statewide campaign to demand higher pay from the State Government. The Prison Officers Union revealed last Thursday night its members would stop work from 7am.

Around 50 Broome staff lined up outside Broome Regional Prison and joined prison officers throughout WA to fight for better pay and working conditions.

Broome prison officer and union delegate Dave Anderson said a delay in pay negotiations had prompted action from staff.

“Our pay was stalled at nine per cent and we were not offered any more,” he said.

“They (State Government) have broken their own policy.” Mr Anderson, who has worked as a prison officer for 17 years, said officers were demanding a “fair go” from the Government and respect for the risks involved in the profession.

POU State secretary John Welch said it had been more than 10 years since prison officers had taken strike action.

“Industrial action is not something prison officers take on lightly,” he said. “We are proud of what we do – that we keep the public safe and guard those whom society has excluded.”

Mr Welch said despite negotiations with the Government in December, the offer had stalled at nine per cent offered over three years to officers.

“We have called a 24-hour strike to show our solidarity and anger,” he said.

“We will call more if the Government is not listening.”

Mr Anderson said the strike had come at a challenging time for Broome prison officers as they face job uncertainty amid the closure of the prison.