PRISON staff are to strike on Friday.

Their action will hit New Hall women's prison at Flockton.

Amicus's 1,500 members in the prison service - electricians, plumbers, cooks, dog handlers and gardeners - will strike over a proposed increase they say represents a pay cut.

They are taking 24-hour industrial action after having a 1% pay increase imposed on them even though they voted overwhelmingly (99%) to reject it in a consultative ballot.

As well as being below inflation, the industrial and agricultural staff's pay offer compares unfavourably with other prison service workers deals, including prison officers who were offered a 2.8% deal.

John Allott, Amicus national officer for the prison service, said: "This is a sad day for our members who feel they have been left with no alternative but to take strike action."