If last weeks post-Brexit vote developments represented a political earthquake, then the aftershocks have followed in huge waves over the ensuing days.
There is too much going on to even start to offer any rational commentary on the classic Tory backstabbing that has seen Justice Secretary Michael Gove emerge as one of the frontrunners for the party leadership, but the speculation is that whatever the result he will not be seen around 102 Petty France Street for much longer.
By contrast, the Labour Party's lurch into its own leadership crisis is akin to a full blown public execution which for any aficionados of left leaning politics over many decades may not be such a surprise. I am personally sorry to see this being played out in the way that it is as Jeremy Corbyn has been a great friend to Napo over many years.
As a non-affiliated trade union we are of course limited in terms of what we can say publicly lest it be construed as showing partisanship.
In light of the developments this week I made a statement to your National Executive Committee yesterday where I reported on the views that were exchanged at this week’s meeting of the TUC General Council (read here).
Essentially, in what was the first opportunity to debate the economic and political position following the referendum, a consensus emerged that the TUC must stand firm against the expected attempt by this Tory government (and possibly a fresh version should they call and win another general election) to impose even more austerity measures and to continue their systemic attack on public services, trade unions and our communities.
Following the reports of racism violence and damage that have appeared this week, my contribution at the General Council made it clear as to how our members are often expected to deal with the impact of racism and xenophobia in terms of some clients that they work with or the victims that they try to help.
I also mentioned the depressing reports I had received of government departments already having to intervene in some racially linked incidents among some staff, no doubt fueled by the poisonous comments made by some politicians during the referendum campaign, which have made a worrying number of people believe that it’s OK to tell others “how they have got their country back.” Shameful.
Dispute lodged with Working Links (or is that Aurelius?)
Developments closer to home have merely compounded the prevailing sense of gloom and uncertainty, with the news that the asset strippers have got their wallets out with this week’s takeover of Working Links by the German based investment outfit Aurelius.
This surprise acquisition (described as “exciting” etc etc. by the Working Links head honcho) will have provided absolutely no reassurance to those Napo members who are worried about whether they are among the intended 40% of staff in their three CRCs who are at risk of being shown the door.
Ironically, the unions served notice of a dispute on Working Links management over the proposed job cuts just hours before the buyout was announced. I don't suppose they had the time to let their purchasers know that they also now own a likely trade dispute as well.
As you might expect, Napo has already started to lay the foundations for some Parliamentary questions and will be calling on the secretary of state to consider whether they are satisfied that service provision will improve within the CRCs concerned now that Working Links are under the ownership of a company whose track record on the provision of probation amounts to zilch.
National Executive Committee news
Whilst some unexpected illnesses meant that yesterday’s National Executive Meeting was unfortunately not quorate in terms of being able to formalise decisions, it was nevertheless a useful opportunity to update your representatives on a host of issues of which some of the key ones are summarised below:
Chivalry Road
Following the previous NEC decision to authorise the Officers to explore the options for the marketing and sale of our Chivalry Road base, agents have now been appointed with view to commencing this process in September.
At the same time as receiving a full business case for the above, the NEC were also updated on the discussions that have taken place with PCS, the owners of 160 Falcon Road, where short term rental accommodation is available until such time as a longer term purchasing option possibly in partnership with other trade unions becomes clearer.
More updates will follow.
Professional and training issues
E3 update
Napo presented a comprehensive response to the E3 operational plan and discussions around the implementation are ongoing. We are grateful for the input made by members via their branches which allowed us to get a picture of what is happening across the NPS.
Members have been informed of agreements that have been made with employers to protect them from any detrimental effects of E3 re-grading may cause. This is not an acceptance of the re-grading – the challenge to the Victim Liaison Officer and Approved Premise job evaluations is ongoing.
Discussions around Court work has been helped by the recent report which highlighted Sentencers concerns about reports being done with little information and consequently less detail than they are used to.
We are also in discussions around workloads and the new tiering model as well as AP work rotas.
The unknown in all of this is how the Offender Management in Custody review will fit in with E3 as information is yet to be provided.
Purple Futures owned CRCs
The CRCs owned by Purple Futures are now getting towards the end of the process of staff restructuring. The Pan-CRC forum has offered a useful model for ensuring that the CRC owners are held to account for the decisions they make and has allowed reps in the branches to support each other and gain strength and confidence in solidarity. This structure doesn't replace the local negotiation structures between the individual CRCs and branches but supports trade union engagement with the owners as well as local employers. Hard work by Napo reps resulted in the numbers of job losses reducing significantly but it is still the case that some members will be at direct risk of redundancy by the end of the process. Work is ongoing to ensure that the employers offer appropriate support to staff during such a difficult time. We will continue to work with local reps to hold the employers and owners to account at each stage.
Probation Systems Review
Branch Circular BR39/2016 was sent out on 14/06/2016 to alert Branches to an important review by NOMS and input from members will be greatly appreciated.
Organising
The NEC heard that encouraging progress has been made with the Direct Debit campaign but it was agreed that we need to continue to press the importance of this not only in terms of Napo's finances but also to improve density of membership.
Members Services
The new Napo Extra members service portfolio goes live today see here for a preview.
Health and Safety
NPS
The crackdown on staff sickness initiated by the NOMS Attendance team is starting to have ramifications for our members through overzealous and incorrect application of the Attendance management PI. Napo has raised these issues with NOMS at their Attendance Team meetings with the trade unions.
We can expect more of these problems as NOMS are aiming to drive down the average days lost from 12. 25 (when their project began in November 2015) to their target of 9 days. For more information on the NOMS attendance project and Napo view of it see Napo Quarterly 3.
An interlinked issue is that of occupational stress (we are told by the attendance team that stress and muscle strain are main reasons for sickness absence). At the NPS National H&S committee we requested an overview of what is being done in each division to implement the Health and Safety Arrangements for the management of stress in work PI.
CRCs
The meeting arranged for early June of CRC Health and Safety advisors was cancelled as very few advisors had registered to attend. The previous meeting (the only meeting since share sale) was also poorly attended. Napo has spoken to the HSE inspector with responsibility for probation about the problems as regards attendance at this meeting and what can be done to address this - the meeting is important as it is the only opportunity for the inspectorate and the trade unions to gain an overview of what the CRC’s doing around health and safety. As a result the HSE will be writing to all CRC CEO’s to state that they must ensure that their Health and Safety advisors attend such meetings (a similar strategy was successful for private prisons).
Diversity
Napo continues to work with the NPS on raising equality issues and is involved in a number of strands of work; this currently includes working with the NPS on raising staff awareness of disability issues. Napo will also be meeting with the newly appointed Chairs of the NPS staff equality groups to discuss how we can work jointly to promote and champion equality issues.
Napo is also in the process of compiling a submission to the Lammy Review into BAME representation in the Criminal Justice System and the General Secretary and Ranjit Singh are being supported by Maureen Vernon, Urfan Amar, Ikki Bhogal. A further verbal update will be provided at the NEC.
The Napo Black Network will be convening a meeting of members to discuss the government’s Preventing Violent Extremism Strategy (Prevent). The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. However, the strategy has caused controversy and many people feel that it creates division in communities and is therefore counter-productive. The meeting is scheduled to take place on the 20th September and further details will be sent out to branches in the coming weeks.
Press Parliamentary and Campaigning
Parliamentary update
Parliamentary activity has been somewhat limited in recent weeks due to the EU referendum. At the time of writing we are not aware of the result.
Napo awaits confirmation that we will be invited to submit oral and written evidence into the Public Accounts Committee hearing into the National Audit Office report into TR.
Work is also in hand on submitting evidence to the NOMS Probation Systems Review and a verbal update on these issues will be provide to the NEC
Tolpuddle Seminar – TUCG
This is an annual event organised by the TUCG. This year it will take place on 12th July at Portcullis House. We have a limited number of tickets which will guarantee you a seat so please contact Tania Bassett if you are interested in going. The theme for this year's event is 'Keeping the right to strike'. The first in a series of events and discussions organised by the TUCG to start exploring how unions can continue to strike and organise following the enactment of the Trade Union Bill. Guest speakers include Caroline Lucas MP and John Hendy MP. There will also be an open discussion at the end.
Napo members from Hampshire Isle of Wight branch are again ensuring that the Napo stall at Tolpuddle will be attended to and will be supported by the General Secretary over the festival weekend itself on 16th and 17th July.
Jo Cox MP
The horrifying and brutal murder of Jo Cox MP on 16th June has shocked and dismayed the nation. Jo spoke in a number of debates about probation reform and was a fierce and dedicated campaigner for social justice. Napo has published an open letter of condolence that has been circulated to the Labour Parliamentary Party and, thanks to a local member has been placed at the memorial in Batley. As a mark of respect Napo staff and members took part in two special services held on 22nd June in London and West Yorkshire to mark what would have been Jo's 42nd Birthday. Napo has also dedicated the 3rd edition of NQ to Jo.
AGM planning
AGM 2016
Registrations for AGM 2016 in Cardiff have opened and in the first two weeks 41 members were registered. A draft of speakers has been identified along with fringe meetings. The Minister has indicated he will be attending along with Jo Stevens, the Shadow Justice Minister, even though Napo’s conference is immediately after Labour Party conference.
There are ongoing discussions with NOMS in relation to NPS members to try and secure a day paid time off to attend conference in light of the important professional issues. An invitation is also been sent to CRC Chief Executives to encourage them to support their staff to attend
Officer elections announced
Branch circular BR 45 /2016 gives you the names of the candidates who are offering themselves for election to the National Officers Group.
These are important elections and all of the candidates who are standing are committed to making a major contribution to the life and fabric of this union and to do all that they can to protect and promote our members interests.
Please ensure that you take a few minutes to have a look at what they are saying and vote accordingly? A good turnout will send good signals about Napo members belief in what we are about.
- ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog
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