SODEXO AND THE NNC DISPUTES

I reported earlier this week that the two disputes registered by Napo and Unison reps in South Yorkshire and Northumbria were to be considered by the National Negotiating Council (NNC) Joint Secretaries (of which I am one, and Francis Stuart of NOMS is the other).

Whilst I am in discussion with my Employers Side counterpart about the wording of a possible determination of these and one other unrelated dispute that we looked at yesterday, I am naturally limited in what I am able to say about them right now.

Meanwhile, It is reasonable to reveal that the genesis of these two disputes and the six others that have been served over the last fortnight or so, is that the unions believe that any attempt to vary a National Agreement cannot, under the terms of the protections that were secured from the former Secretary of State, be a subject for local discussion unless first referred to the NNC.

I am sure that many members in those six CRC’s, who are anxious to understand what it is they might be offered if they apply for EVR, may see this as a side issue but please read on.

During the many discussions that have been going on between NOMS, Sodexo and their six CRC’s it has become inescapably clear that Sodexo are not used to collective bargaining arrangements such as the NNC, and that we are not used to having to deal with them; but nevertheless we need to find a solution that accommodates this fact of life.

As I write, we have just had another full and frank discussion with Sodexo, but one which I hope has produced some constructive outcomes. I believe we can find a way to enter structured discussions about the EVR issue, whilst at the same time being able to assure members that we will be seeking a mandate from you and acting upon it. The unions are also asking that our national collective bargaining machinery will be respected at the same time, and that such a process must also allow the unions the normal opportunities to properly consult with those members most likely to be effected.  

I appreciate that everyone with a potential stake in all this wants to know what is going on by the minute; but be assured that your negotiators are doing the right thing for you and all those Napo members in other CRC’s who may find themselves in a similar situation in the near future.

It’s very likely that more news about the situation will emerge early next week.

Please check out Check Off - it’s important!

We recently wrote out to all our members to explain why, because of the decision to stop ‘Check Off’,  it is vitally important that Napo is asking those of you within the NPS in the first instance) to make the switch to pay your union subscriptions by Direct Debit.

I make no apologies for saying that it will be the first of many reminders as we seek to protect our income from a decision which will undoubtedly make life harder for us to operate and will also stretch our finances.

We are asking two things: the first is that while we make the final adjustments to a new online Napo application portal for everyone to use, that our NPS members download and sign the DD mandate form and get this back to Napo’s membership section.

The second, is that we need a name in every Napo Branch (including the FCS) of someone who will help our campaign out there on the ground. It will simply be a case of reminding members how to make the switch, distributing information and cross checking the returns that we will issue from Chivalry Road.

Our enemies would love to see us fail on this major project. Let’s not give them the pleasure.

Family Court Professional Conference

I have just signed off the proofs for Napo News which will give a detailed account of what went on at Birmingham last week.

Meanwhile, I wanted to say that it was a really invigorating event and I was pleased to be able to reassure everyone there of Napo’s unwavering commitment to our FCS members. The work that we are undertaking in partnership with elected FCS representatives and CAFCASS itself means it is more important than ever to seek out new members and Reps wherever we can to ensure that we are a prominent presence in the organisation and better able to help tackle the issues that you are most concerned about.

I will always consider an invitation to visit members across all of our constituencies and it’s been a while since I accompanied an FCS practitioner going about their work, so the offer is out there.  

Have a great weekend