Union News

The Clarence Valley Community Unions have mobilised, to save Grafton Gaol.

See the video here.

Last Friday it was announced that there would be 92 positions at the gaol would be cut, which is more than 80% of it's current workforce.

PSA Assistant Secretary Shane O’Brien says the severe job cuts are clear evidence of the Liberal Coalition government’s agenda to close Grafton jail.

“The Grafton Correctional Facility staff are among the first casualties of Premier O’Farrell’s 10,000 public sector job cuts in the recent State budget,” Mr O’Brien said today.

“Prison officers, non-custodial staff, teachers and other staff have been told they will lose their job in two weeks, leaving no time for making adequate preparations for their families and future employment.

“Any claim by the NSW government that Grafton jail won’t close down is nothing but a lie. You don’t use a 277 bed facility as a transitional facility for 60 inmates if you plan to keep the jail open in the future.

“Grafton Correctional Facility might still be there but the jobs have well and truly gone. The loss of prison officer and other frontline support staff at Grafton will have flow on impacts for local jobs and the regional economy.

“The real victims of this mean and tricky strategy are correctional facility workers and the public who are being kept in the dark about the true plans for the state.

“Local member, Chris Gulaptis, said he was working with the Attorney-General to minimise job losses, if 92 people out of work is the best he can do then maybe it’s the local member that should go,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Clarence Valley Community Unions are calling for Gulaptis to Stand up to Barry O'Farrell and save their Gaol, or Stand Aside.