NSW: Corrective Services moving to block proposed prison strike=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2008
NSW: Corrective Services moving to block proposed prison strike=2

Mr Woodham said important aspects of the reforms were the introduction of casual staff,
centralised rosters, changing correctional centre routines and a new sick leave policy.

He said the government would "not negotiate" with the union on those issues.

Casual prison officers would cost about $28 per hour in comparison with hourly rates
of more $100 per hour for high-ranking officers, he said.

The Corrective Services Department had docked the pay of Long Bay prison officers who
held industrial action last week and contingency plans were in place in case all officers
walked off the job across NSW.

"Our managers will stay online and police will come to the outer perimeter of the jails
and deal with anything that it has to protect the community, like escorts," Mr Woodham
said.

He denied there would be a complete lockdown if the state's officers went out on strike.

"We've come up with a process of letting them (prisoners) out, and exercising every
day, showers, and they will get all their medical care and be fed, of course."

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KEYWORD: PRISONS WOODHAM 2 SYDNEY

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