Prison educators vote to strike across England over low pay

Over 400 staff working in education at 48 prisons and youth offender institutions across England could walk out after voting for strike action [NOTE 1], the University and College Union (UCU) announced today (Wednesday).

Members voted overwhelmingly for strike action with 94.47% of those voting, voting ‘YES’ in a vote that surpassed the 50% turnout threshold imposed by Tory anti trade union legislation.

The prison educators, who are employed by Novus, have seen their pay fall by more than 25% since 2009. Prison education is already one of the lowest paid sectors, as highlighted by the House of Commons Education Select Committee.

Novus has made a pay offer of just 2% for 2021/22 and 3% for 2022/23, far below current RPI inflation of 12.3%.UCU is demanding Novus comes to the table with a realistic pay offer that helps staff meet the cost of living crisis. UCU members will now meet to decide next steps.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said:

‘Rather than offer prison educators a desperately needed pay rise to help them meet the cost of living crisis, Novus management decided to deliver yet more real terms pay cuts. They have no one but themselves to blame now staff have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.

‘Many prison education are facing poverty because historically low pay means they are already financially insecure. Novus still has time to do what is necessary and make staff an improved and realistic offer. If it refuses to do so, staff will have no option other than to take strike action across its prisons in England.’ 

[1] Prisons/Youth offender institutions where UCU now has a live mandate to take strike action:

1. HMP Altcourse, Liverpool
2. HMP Birmingham, Birmingham
3. HMP Brinsford, Wolverhampton
4. HMP Brixton, London
5. HMP Buckley Hall, Rochdale
6. HMP Deerbolt, Barnard Castle
7. HMP Doncaster, Doncaster
8. HMP Durham, Durham
9. HMP Featherstone, Wolverhampton
10. .HMP Hatfield/Lakes, Doncaster
11. HMP Haverigg, Haverigg, Millom
12. HMP Hewell, Worcestershire
13. HMP High Down, Surrey
14. HMP Holme House, Stockton On Tees
15. HMP Hull, Hull
16. HMP Humber, North Humberside,
17. HMP Kirkham, Preston
18. HMP Lancaster Farms, Lancaster
19. HMP Leeds, Leeds,
20. HMP Lindholme,  Doncaster
21. HMP Liverpool, Liverpool
22. HMP Northumberland, Northumberland
23. HMP Oakwood, Wolverhampton
24. HMP Onley, Rugby
25. HMP Pentonville, London
26. HMP Preston, Preston
27. HMP Risley, Warrington
28. HMP Rye Hill, Willoughby, Warwickshire
29. HMP Stafford, Stafford
30. HMP Swinfen Hall, Staffs
31. HMP Thameside, London
32. HMP Wandsworth, London
33. HMP Wealstun, Wetherby
34. HMP Wormwood Scrubs, London
35. HMP Wymott, Preston
36. HMP/YOI Low Newton, Durham
37. HMP/YOI Moorland/Lakes, Doncaster
38. HMP/YOI Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire
39. HMYOI Cookham Wood (YP), Rochester, Kent
40. HMYOI Feltham, Middlesex,
41. HMYOI Hindley, Wigan
42. HMYOI Isis, Western Way, London
43. HMYOI New Hall, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
44. HMYOI Stoke Heath, Market Drayton, Shropshire
45. HMYOI Thorn Cross, Warrington, Cheshire
46. HMYOI Werrington, Stoke On Trent
47. HMYOI Wetherby (YP), Wetherby
48. Offender Learning, Manchester