State ‘should never have let it get this far’ on public sector pay

As services across Cork city were brought to a halt on Wednesday, outside Cork Prison, one of the most overcrowded facilities in the State, prison officers also took to the picket line. 

All visits to prisons were cancelled, while escorts to medical services were only facilitated in situations of urgent emergency.

The Prison Officers Association has claimed work-to-rule measures will continue to be escalated.

“This doesn’t just fall out of the sky, this dispute. Our membership, practically every single person, voted for strike action bar a handful of people,” deputy general secretary Gabriel Keaveney told The Echo.

“We’re just at our wits’ end. But Government should never have let it get this far, so we blame them.”

Meanwhile, city council workers stood guard over public car parks, blocking any oncoming vehicles.

Widespread support from the prisoners was peppered with occasional abuse from frustrated commuters.

Like the prison officers, the council staff said they were fighting the same battle over the cost of living.

“It’s time just to make a stand finally, and this is the start of the stand. Hopefully, they’ll take notice and decide to talk properly rather than lip service, which has gone on for the last six months,” said Ken O’Leary, manager of Paul St car park.

“Prices have gone up, cost of living has gone up, inflation has gone up. Logically, wages have to go up to match that for everybody,” he said.