Prison industrial action

The bare basics are being provided by Risdon Prison officers in a day long stop work over pay and conditions where their rate of assault by inmates is the highest in the nation.

Court appearances are being disrupted because officers are refusing inmate escort duties. 

According to Thirza White from the Community and Public Sector Union, Tasmanian officers are paid $10,000 to $15,000 less annually than interstate workers.

"It's a powder keg every day and that is what this is all about, it is a job where Corrections Officers go to work and they face threats of violence, they are constantly understaffed and this has a real impact on inmates and officers."

During 18 months of negotiations, the state government extended its offer to a 2.1% pay rise which was rejected.