PRISON staff at Lancaster Farms and the Castle were due to walk out today (Thursday) over a pay dispute.
The two-day strike follows a ballot of Public and Commercial Services Union members, mainly administrative and support staff, who say this year's pay offer is 'derisory'.
The Home Office says it amounts to 5.6 per cent. But, the PCSU says that figure is reached by comparing January-to-January figures, taking in two pay deals.
The union claims the real offer amounts to one per cent.
A branch spokesman says: "It is derisory. It doesn't cover the cost of inflation and council tax has rocketed."
The Home Office has contingency plans in place to minimise disruption.
o Strike action in the Department for Work and Pensions has been suspended to allow talks on an improved pay offer.
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