PRISON officers across the country are to be balloted on industrial action, including strikes, in protest at the Government’s privatisation plans for Birmingham’s Winson Green jail.

The move by the Prison Officers Association (POA) sets the union on a collision course with the Government over plans for Birmingham, and Featherstone 2 in Wolverhampton, to be run by private security company G4S because it is unlawful for warders to take industrial action.

POA members will take part in an indicative ballot, which will be considered by union leaders before they decide their next move.

General secretary Steve Gillan said: “We are just seeking our members’ views. The anger is still there and some of our members are now working to contract to show their feelings.

“The ballot result will determine what we do in the future.”

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke revealed last month that troops had been put on stand-by as the Prison Service braced itself for disruption.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We are currently working with the Ministry of Defence and police to ensure that our contingency arrangements are as strong as possible.”

A Birmingham prison officer said staff were still uncertain about their futures. The officer claimed that representatives from G4S met with senior Winson Green officials this week, but rank-and-file staff had still not been consulted about the handover to the private firm.