‘We are losing control’: NT corrections officers at breaking point

CORRECTIONS officers will walk off the job in Darwin and Alice Springs as negotiations over a new workplace agreement reach boiling point

Corrections officers claim they do not feel safe

CORRECTIONS officers will walk off the job in Darwin and Alice Springs as negotiations over a new workplace agreement reach boiling point.

One officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said issues at the troubled Territory prisons would continue to get worse unless conditions for workers improved.

“We run a real risk of more riots – abscondments, escapes – prisoners are getting assaulted,” he said.

“We are losing control.”

Another officer said workers were fearful of their own safety and the safety of prisoners in their care.

He said negotiations stalled over a clause about minimum safe staffing levels – with workers worried they were being pushed to manage too many prisoners.

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“It’s not about a pay raise it’s about safety,” he said.

“We are very concerned about the safety of prisoners, officers, visitors.”

A spokeswoman from NT Corrections said NT Correctional Services had comprehensive contingency plans to manage the correctional centres during protected industrial action.

“Separate to the Enterprise Agreement negotiations, NT Correctional Services is finalising new operating models for the correctional centres,” she said.

“Not all staff will be involved in the protected industrial action.

“The new operating model will ensure the correctional centres operate at a high level to meet public expectations for safety, security and prisoner rehabilitation.”

A third worker said NT prisons were understaffed and Corrections was not doing enough to attract more workers.

“All we want is minimum safe staffing levels,” he said.

“You can’t run a prison – and you can’t run a prison safely – without staff.

“Officers are not being listened to or supported.”

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United Voice NT branch secretary Erina Early issued Corrections with a notice to strike on Friday afternoon.

She said there had been ongoing delays over negotiations and members were not being taken seriously.

“We’re no longer willing to meet and have fluff discussions,” she said.

“The sticking point has been clause 60, it’s about the operational model which includes safe staffing levels for our officers which protects them and also protects the prisoners.

“We wanted safe staffing level positions to be agreed upon by the union and the Commissioner. It’s a practice which happens now.”

Officers at Alice Springs Correctional Centre will strike on July 26; and officers at Darwin Correctional Precinct (including the training centre), and the court cells and holding areas located in the Darwin Local Courts will strike on July 29.

Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment acting employee relations manager Damien Doherty said contract discussions were ongoing.

“Negotiations are still underway regarding staffing model provisions and United Voice have been invited to meet this week to progress discussions,” he said.