POA agrees to hold new ballot on prison overtime deal
The Prison Officers Association has agreed to hold a fresh ballot on proposals designed to reduce the annual €60m prison overtime bill.
The POA's members have already rejected the deal, which would see them get a pay rise and one-off payment in return for working seven hours' overtime every week.
The rejection came despite a recommendation from the POA leadership that the offer be accepted.
Delegates at a special conference organised by the association in Dublin today voted by three to one to again recommend acceptance of the deal, but it is unclear if rank-and-file members will change their minds.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell has threatened to immediately privatise the prison escort service if the deal is rejected again.
He is also threatening to make the closure of prisons at Spike Island and the Curragh permanent and to remove two other jails from the control of the Prison Service in an effort to reduce costs.
