We have been releasing as much news as we can on the talks that have been taking place between the Probation Unions and Sodexo over their offer to vary the terms of the Enhanced Voluntary Redundancy scheme that they wish to offer to staff within their six Community Rehabilitation Companies. At the meeting with Sodexo Reps last week we reported on developments and drew up an action plan.
The big issues for the unions have been covered in my previous blog but we have been working collectively with Unison and GMB SCOOP to develop a common position that is encapsulated in the attached letter. This has already been submitted by local union reps to a couple of Chief Executives at JNC meetings and will be handed in at those which have still to take place.
Chief Executive Officer
………………. CRC
Dear....................................
Sodexo Proposals to vary terms of NNC Enhanced Voluntary Redundancy Scheme
Napo and UNISON and GMB SCOOP are opposed to your proposals to offer inferior enhanced voluntary redundancy terms (EVR), compared to the NNC/NNC SCCOG EVR scheme, to staff in this CRC, as directed by the owners Sodexo.
These proposals, which should not have been presented at the CRC JNCC are outside the NNC/NNC SCCOG Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement and the statutory Staff Transfer Scheme. This states that:
‘NNC/NNC SCOG Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement
CRC and NPS Terms and Conditions
16. In addition, the commercial contracts will specify that, other than where more beneficial terms exist, where voluntary redundancy is offered, the enhanced terms set out in Appendix B should apply to any member of staff in a CRC employed by a Probation Trust on 31 May 2014.’
Our members have a clear expectation from this national agreement that the terms of the NNC/NNC SCCOG EVR scheme will apply for the duration of this CRC’s contract should you wish to declare any voluntary redundancies.
This CRC’s JNCC constitution provides for you to enter into negotiations with your trade unions only in respect of ‘...conditions of service specifically left to the discretion of the CRC from the NNC/NNC SCCOG as matters for local agreement.’ We remind you that the terms of the NNC/NNC SCCOG EVR scheme have not been left to the discretion of CRCs as a matter for local agreement and remain reserved for national negotiation only. Therefore it would not be appropriate for the unions to enter local negotiations with you on these proposals.
We therefore require you to refer your proposals to the NNC/NNC SCCOG for appropriate consideration in line with our JNCC constitution. Until the NNC/NNC SCCOG Joint Secretaries have had an opportunity to review these matters, we expect the pause in this CRC’s redundancy consultation to continue until further notice. Additionally, we expect all action in respect of the proposed TUPE Transfer of CRC Staff to the Sodexo Salford Shared Services centre to also be paused. In line with established procedure we expect that the status quo applies and that you do not proceed to consult staff on a proposal which has yet to exhaust this CRC’s and the NNC/NNC SCCOG established procedures.
Given that your proposals seek to reduce the value of the NNC/NNC SCCOG EVR package, if you do proceed to consult staff we intend to escalate the matter to the NNC/NNC SCCOG Joint Secretaries as a dispute over the application of the NNC/NNC SCCOG Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement.
The Joint Secretaries have been advised of these developments and stand ready to assist at the earliest opportunity.
Yours sincerely etc
CC Ian Lawrence, NNC Trade Union Side Secretary
More news later this week which has included further talks with NOMS and ACAS and will round off with a meeting of Napo's Probation Negotiating Committee.
Blog type:
General Secretary's Blog
- ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog
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