Prison officers are being backed by the ‘whole trade union’ movement as they battle to get the right to strike
Prison officers taking the Government to court to have their right to strike restored say they now have the backing of the ‘whole trade union movement’. The Prison Officers Association (POA) are urging the Government to think again to avoid a ‘grotesque’ showdown in the European Court of Human Rights. Last year attacks on prison officers and inmate deaths were at record levels in England and Wales. Ministry of Justice figures revealed 10,568 assaults on staff in the 12 months to March 2025 – up 7% on the previous year. While the number of people dying in jail rose by almost a third. Last April, three prison officers were allegedly attacked by Hashem Abedi, one of the men responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing, and in May an officer was allegedly attacked by the Southport triple murderer Axel Rudakubana.
After these attacks the Government was urged by the Howard League for Penal Reform, to intervene to save lives. Now the POA, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG) have all written to the Prime Minister to give prison officers their ‘basic rights’.
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The government is being urged to restore the right to strike and avoid challenging the unions in European courts, which would create a ‘grotesque spectacle’. Together they represent every trade union in the country, the POA said.
They joined forces after an influential European Committee of Social Rights said the UK was in breach of its obligations under its social charter. Under the Troy Government, the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act removed “The Right to Strike” for Prison Officers. The Blair Labour Government later committed to reinstating “The Right to Strike” in England and Wales but failed to follow it through. Now Keir Starmer’s Labour Government are saying they also won’t be reversing the legislation.
Steve Gillan, the general secretary of the POA, told The Mirror: “The stance by the Labour Government marks a new low in their relationship with the trade union movement. It is a betrayal of Prison Officers and ruptures any trust working people have in this Government.” He added: “Prison Officers are facing a massive crisis in Prisons.
“You only have to look at the disgraceful attempt to murder prison officers at HMP Frankland in the separation centre. Prison staff have never been under so much pressure.“
Referring to Keir Starmer’s speech saying ‘people need hope’ as he resisted calls for his resignation after the local election disaster, the POA boss said prison officers need action now – not more ‘words of hope’.
He said: “Fourteen years of Tory Government had its toll but Labour have now been in power for two years. It’s time for actions and delivery, not more words of hope.
“Prison Officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland deserve much better with basic fundamental human rights and that includes the right to take legitimate industrial action”. He said a Labour Government taking on the Trade Unions in court, defending Tory legislation would be a ‘grotesque spectacle”.
The POA letter to the Government said: “This is not an abstract legal issue, it is about fairness, safety, and respect. Prison Officers face daily risks to their physical and mental well-being yet are denied a fundamental lever available to most workers when negotiations break down. “ He said carrying on the ban risks “further deterioration in morale, challenges in recruitment and retention, and ultimately impacts the stability and safety of our Prison System. “A workforce that feels unheard and undervalued is not one that can sustainably deliver the high standards the public rightly expects…”
The letter to the PM from the unions, said: “It remains a matter of serious concern that members of the Prison Officers Association continue to be denied this basic right…” They pointed out there work is often “dangerous” and “in the service of public safety”.
It went on to “urge the government” to restore the right to strike for prison officers and to enter into discussions and “remedy this issue”..
Deputy PM and Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy has written to the unions saying he will not overturn his predecessor’s decision not to reverse the ban and to fight their legal bid.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “We recognise the critical hard work carried out by prison officers every day in keeping us safe, and while there are no plans to change the law on industrial action which could put the public at risk, we have fair and robust systems to support and protect staff.
“Alongside a pay rise of 3.5% for frontline workers, we are introducing pepper spray across prison estates, investing in body armour for those working with the most dangerous offenders, and training hundreds of officers to use Tasers.”
