History

The suggestion of forming a union or association was first mooted in 1945 in Mountjoy Prison. The Prison Officers’ Association was finally founded in 1947 after a period of struggle by many members of the prison service.

The Mountjoy Branch Committee of the Association was called at that time the Central Branch and was the governing body between Annual Conference. The business of the Association was conducted in peoples’ homes and was done so, while off-duty. Mr. Tony Weymes was the first General Secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association. The Prison Service at the time was organised on a strict military system. The Association found it difficult to secure improvements in the working conditions of its members.

There were no payments for working overtime. Many staff members were employed on a temporary basis on the minimum point of the pay scale and could be let go with only one week’s notice. In 1956 there were 254 members in the Association in four branches. Prison Officers at the time could be ordered to occupy official quarters. Indeed this is still the case in the year 2004, as Prisons are still governed by the 1947 Rules for the Government of Prisons. (S.I. 320 of 1947)

Working conditions in the early years were very bad. Officers worked for weeks on end without rest. Dramatic improvements were made in overtime conditions in 1967, which brought them in line with those applicable to general civil service grades.

By 1971 the principle of scheduled weekly rest days was finally established, with additional attendance on rest days paid at overtime rates. The six week waiting period for rest day payment was abolished.

In 1972 the National Executive Council was established with a representative from each branch or prison attending. At that time the membership was large enough to sustain a full time General Secretary. Mr. Jim Wardick was elected at the Annual Conference in 1973.

With the expansion of the Prison Service the membership of the Association increased rapidly. Industrial actions took place in 1974 in St.Patrick’s Institution and Portlaoise Prison. In 1988 a National Strike occurred because of a forced change in the attendance arrangements for Prison Officers. Disputes before 1988 were invariably about staff safety and working conditions.

Up until the mid-70’s only basic posts were open to female officers. The person in charge of the female prison was known as the Matron. Female Officers were paid only 85-87% of the pay of Male Officers.

In 1981 the Association was affiliated to the Congress of Trade Unions. And the second full time official of the union was appointed by the association. In that same year the Prison Officers’ Medical Aid scheme was established as was the Prison Officers Credit Union and the Association of Retired Prison Officers.

Over the years the Prison Officers’ Association has achieved major improvements in the Conditions of Service and in the working conditions of Prison Officers.