Prison officers have voted strongly in favour of a new pay deal, ending a long-running dispute about overtime with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
The ballot result, announced yesterday by the Prison Officers' Association, removes the threat of a strike in the State's prisons.
Mr McDowell had threatened a programme of privatisation and prison closures if the latest pay offer was not accepted in order to achieve cost savings of €25 million a year. That saving will now be achieved through a similar reduction in the prisons overtime bill of more than €60 million a year.
POA members had previously rejected two pay offers, in Septebmer 2003 and again in April this year.
Mr McDowell agreed to "tweak" the terms of the April offer, however, and the new terms were accepted by 69 per cent of those who participated in the latest ballot. POA president Gabriel Keaveney said the outcome was positive for prison officers and their families, following a "long and difficult process".
"This proposal will provide predictable working hours and guaranteed income, as well as removing the threat of privatisation."
The deal agreed yesterday gives prison officers improved basic pay in exchange for working an average seven hours of overtime per week.
Mr McDowell had threatened to privatise the prison escort service as well as two of the State's "open jails", Shelton Abbey in Wicklow and Loughan House in Cavan, if the deal was not accepted
He also insisted that Spike Island prison, in Cork, and the Curragh prison, in Kildare, would remain closed until the savings he was seeking were agreed.
Mr Keaveney said the POA was very pleased with all that had been achieved throughout the talks process.
Negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission had lasted for over a year and were "protracted and difficult", but had enabled the association to maximise the benefits for prison officers.
"The removal of the threat of 'unplanned call-ins' and 'time off in lieu of pay' were just some of the many benefits achieved," he said.
"Prison officers must now support each other as we move forward towards implementation of this proposal, and the POA will ensure that the benefits negotiated for members will be realised."
The offer voted on in April would have seen prison officers earn a salary of €48,000 to €70,000, to include overtime. A once-off payment of €13,750 was also part of the deal.
Officers rejected it two to one. Many did not want to work overtime and believed they would be forced to do so under the new arrangement.
Mr McDowell agreed to changes which would increase the percentage of officers allowed to work no overtime from five to 13. Their hours will now be worked by colleagues who wish to work more overtime than was permitted under the rejected deal.