Today the Employment Relations Authority ruled in favour of CANZ regarding the definition of an Inmate Muster level within a prison. We won the case.

The Department of Corrections which is currently recording record inmate numbers had interpreted the Muster Level for Inmates to be the Number of inmates inside a prison at the time of evening lock-down. However your Union argued that an Inmate Muster level is the number of prisoners inside a prison at any time of the day or night.

The argument over the interpretation followed discussions for a Muster Allowance to Corrections Officers to accommodate the increasing number of inmates in prison. The Department of Corrections broke off talks for a Muster Payment and attempted to apply a more liberal meaning to the term "Inmate Muster Levels".

CANZ still maintain our primary concern is the Health and Safety of our members and the Department of Corrections needs to acknowledge the deepening crisis within New Zealand Prisons, and to sit down with the CANZ and discuss a resolution to the problem.

What this means for us is that the dept can no longer bring any inmates into any prison day or night and exceed the maximum operating capacity of that prison. I know you are all saying we already know that and you would be right, but now we will be supported by the employment law.

From here on in, we can seek immediate compliance, costs and penalties. So once again one union is showing it is prepared to fight for your employment rights.

Beven Hanlon
CANZ National President