by Lewis Dyson

Hundreds of staff from Sheppey’s prison cluster went on strike after a dispute with the government over changes to their pensions.

The unannounced protest began at 7am today as prison officers, teachers and administrators had turned up for their shifts as normal.

Instead, those on duty were restricted to governors and a fraction of the workforce as prisoners were contained in their cells.

They returned at around 1.30pm as discussions with the government were reconvened.

Union representatives estimated that 90% of staff from HMP Standford Hill, 80% from HMP Elmley and 70% to 80% from HMP Swaleside took part in the industrial action.

Prison unions are striking up and down the country after government plans to bring the normal pension age of 60 in line with the state pension age of 68.

Branch chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) for Swaleside Dave Todd said: "We work in a very dangerous and violent environment and to expect our members to be dealing with prisoners, who are getting younger and younger, at 68-years-old is totally wrong.

He added: "We want to be treated the same as the police and the armed forces.

"The average life expectancy of a prison officer who retires at the age of 60 is 18 months so they are almost saying work until you die."

Mike Rolfe, the POA branch chairman for Elmley, said: "We are striking today because we feel that dealing with difficult offenders at the age of 68 is unacceptable. The other issue is our pensions at the end of it are going to be less."

Kevin Tong, branch secretary for Standford Hill, said: "We never want to take strike action but I think this protest has shown what the situation is like at the moment.

"I feel the government, by making us retire at 68 and not treating us on the same footing they have actually signed our death warrant to a degree.

"There are not many prison staff who retire who actually make 68."

The protest caused disruption to courts this morning as proceedings at Maidstone Crown Court .

Evidence from a car salesman accused of murdering his wife, son and father-in-law were delayed for more than two hours when he did arrive.

Other workers at the cluster who took part in the strike action included admin and teaching staff.

Malcolm Young, chairman of the Public and Commercial Services Union for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said: “This is a drive by the government to privatise every public service.”

The workshop instructor, who is employed at Swaleside, added: “I have worked in the service since '93 and it is a smack in the face to be told that I’m not wanted.”

Lance Phillips , a University College Union rep and media teacher at Swaleside, said his planned changes would see his pension drop from £10,000 a year to £3,000.

He said: “They keep saying public workers have to take a pay cut but the politicians forget they are also public servants and they get a £40,000 a year for only 10 years of service.”

The shop steward for Unite Justin Bannsiter said: “We are being bullied by the government.”