HUNDREDS of education workers at England’s 49 prisons will go on strike on Wednesday over threats to their health posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 24-hour strike, involving 600 University & College Union (UCU) members, is the fourth in the long-running dispute.

The union accuses Novus, the largest provider of prison education in Britain, of refusing to take appropriate action to protect workers from infection. It also accuses the firm of investigating union health & safety reps and of repeatedly attempting to intimidate staff who raise health and safety concerns.

Talks held through arbitration service Acas have failed to resolve the dispute.

UCU’s Novus employee and safety representative Brian Hamilton said: “Continuous industrial action on this scale by prison educators is unprecedented and reflects the anger staff feel about the lack of care Novus has for our safety.

“We will not let Novus continue to treat us in this way. This is now the fourth day of strike action and we are absolutely prepared to take further industrial action to protect our colleagues and learners.”

The Prison Officers’ Association, whose members are not allowed to strike by law, voiced support for the strikers.

National chairman Mark Fairhurst said: “Prison officers stand with Novus employees fighting for their health and safety. 

“Novus should be ashamed that staff have been forced into a position where they have to go on strike to protect themselves. 

“It now needs to resolve the dispute rather than causing further disruption for learners and prison officers.”

Novus was invited to comment.