Strike on the cards for prison staff

The union which represents more than seven hundred prison staff says its members are ready to consider industrial action.

The Public Service Association and the Department of Corrections have been negotiating on a new collective agreement since December.

National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says the union has rejected the latest offer, as it did not address the issue of staff retention. Mr Wagstaff says they need career development and ongoing training. He says they will start to look at strike action, if an agreement can't be reached soon.

The group includes guards, social workers, administrators, whanau liaison workers and rehabilitation officers.

- NEWSTALK ZB