Hello all,

No doubt you have all heard that there is once again a muster crisis. This is not a surprise to CANZ as I am sure it is not a surprise to any of you. But is it really a muster crisis?

There is not yet a muster crisis as described in the papers. Just so you know, the muster at Rimutaka Prison can increase by about 100 beds. The muster at Wellington prison can increase by another 8 beds all by simply putting in place the agreed staffing levels.

Although this is not an ideal situation it is the situation we find ourselves in once again.

Below is the staffing required to increase the muster at Rimutaka prison.

Staffing Arrangements

HM 7&8 will operate as a 60 bed High / Medium unit when it is opened; therefore the staffing will be 0.5 Unit Manager, 1 PCO, 3 SCO and 14 CO

HM 9&10 will operate as a 60 bed High / Medium unit when it is opened; therefore the staffing will be 0.5 Unit Manager, 1 PCO, 3 SCO and 14 CO

The Management Unit will operate as a 30 bed unit, with 20 beds adding to the muster and 10 beds used as punishment cells that will be inclusive of the muster. The staffing will be 0.5 Unit Manager, 1 PCO, 3 SCO and 10 CO

In the event of a requirement the other 28 beds are used in HM 7&8, the staffing will be 0.5 Unit Manager, 2 PCO, 3 SCO and 17 CO

In the event of a requirement the other 28 beds are used in HM 9&10, the staffing will be 0.5 Unit Manager, 2 PCO, 3 SCO and 17 CO.

There will be 18.8 Infrastructure staff added to the existing site staff that will include increases to CSU staffing for General Escorts, Visits, General Escorts, and external escorts as well as staff for Prosecutions and Receiving Office. These increases will be phased over the muster increases.

The increase in Infrastructure staff relates only to an increase of 140 of the proposed 196 muster increase. Should there be requirement to exceed the 140 muster increase then a business case will be submitted for extra staffing to include unit and infrastructure staff. This will be in line with the current staffing of the existing units that have been subject to muster increases.

The proposed staffing is consistent with approved WDP ratios and in line with current staffing of the existing High Medium Units (PODS).

This is an extract from the signed agreement when these pods were opened in February last year. Management can go to this level at any time, with the correct staffing and consultation with staff.

The staffing is the key to your Health and Safety. If you do not have all of your staff on shift for any reason whatsoever and you are above the staff to prisoner ratio’s in your unit, you have every right to refuse to work in that unit until the staffing ratio’s are made right again.

If you have any issue about this contact your local union branch and they will be able to answer any questions you may have.

So with the extra 100+ beds at Rimutaka/Wellington prisons, there is also 80 beds online this week at Waikeria, plus 26 in HB. Not to mention the fact that Rimutaka has another POD finished but yet to be consulted on. Once that happens could raise the muster by as much as another 88 beds again.

Then you take into consideration that just a week or 2 away Otago prison starts taking prisoners, this is another 350 prisoners. August 600 odd prisoners could go into Spring Hill.

This clearly shows that there is not a muster crisis.

As we get information about any proposed muster increases we will be putting out information to you our members. The thing we cannot stress enough is that staffing is the key. Health and Safety of you our members is paramount that is why we do all these meetings to achieve the staffing levels we have.

We all agree that even these levels are too low. But it is what we have. You now have to start showing that you will not allow some manager to bully you into putting your H&S at risk. If you do not have the correct staffing do not unlock your unit. Contact your CANZ delegate and seek advice.

We don’t have stab vests, batons, dogs or other tools that other prisons have to keep us safe at work. We only have each other. You don’t have any support if you unlock without your mate.

Wellington Branch Committee
E Brooking, T Grainger, S Harrison, G Hogue.