Prison staff threatened with pay cuts for locking down inmates too long

Staff at the maximum security Port Phillip Prison have been threatened with big pay cuts if they continue to lockdown inmates longer than usual, to make time for workplace bargaining talks.

Community and Public Sector Union members have been allowing prisoners out of their cells for up to 60 minutes less each day to make time for workplace bargaining talks.

Prison staff at a maximum security jail who continue to lockdown inmates as part of an ongoing industrial dispute will be docked of their pay.

Staff at Port Phillip Prison were on Monday night handed an ultimatum that outlined a decrease of up to 25 per cent in pay for continuing to lockdown inmates longer than usual.

Union members of the Community and Public Sector have been allowing prisoners out of their cells for up to 60 minutes less each day to make time for workplace bargaining talks.

It has formed part of an ongoing dispute between CPSU members at the jail’s private operator, G4S, over a potential pay increase and improved working conditions.

Prison staff have been told locking down inmates longer than they should be “impacts on prisoner welfare”.

In a letter sent to prison staff on Monday afternoon, seen by the Herald Sun, G4S said any workers engaging in the industrial action would have their pay docked from Wednesday.

G4S said inmates were feeling the effects of being locked away for longer periods.

Workers completing a 10-hour shift who lock inmates down for 60 minutes will be docked 10 per cent of their pay, while a decrease of five per cent will be imposed for the 30 minute lockdowns.

Staff working a four-hour shift who lock inmates down for the entire 60 minutes will be docked 25 per cent of their pay.

The hits to workers’ pay is relevant to their shift length and how long they lock inmates down for.

“The purpose of this notice is to notify you that your pay will be reduced by the amount specified below for each day that you engage in the partial work bans,” the notice reads.

“The Late Unlocking and Early Locking is having the effect of keeping prisoners ‘locked down’ in their cells for at least an additional 1 hour per day, which impacts on prisoner welfare and G4S’ ability to meet its related obligations.

Port Phillip Prison in Truganina. Source: Goggle Maps

“CPSU members have the right to engage in these actions. However, G4S is entitled to make proportionate deductions from pay in response.”

CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary Karen Batt on Monday night accused the prison’s operator of putting profits ahead of workers and their families.

“They’ve abandoned the staff ahead of them being shut and care more about the profits they ship overseas than the future for the families of their workforce,” she said.

The privately-run jail is due to close next year with inmates expected to be shifted to the newly-built Western Plains Correctional Centre near Lara.