Keeping on Sodexo's case

Last weeks dramatic developments kept us well occupied as we tried to heap the pressure on Sodexo following their shabby handling of their preposterous and downright dangerous job cuts programme. At this week’s Meeting of Napo's National Executive Committee we provided an in depth report of what has transpired, together with a frank analysis of exactly what type of outfit we are dealing with.

As I said, we have made our mark in these early exchanges, but Sodexo's reputation goes before them and it will be a while before the unions safely say that we have built the requisite levels of trust that will be needed to do meaningful business with each other.

Meanwhile here is the follow up letter to the MoJ that we signed off this week: JTU 11-15 Outsourcing of CRC Functions

Standing in solidarity with Probation Northern Ireland

My visits to Northern Ireland over many years have taught me how resilient a people they are. This was evident of course throughout the dark decades of the Troubles that touched so many families.

This week’s incident involving an explosive device in Derry has probably already been consigned to the history books by Probation staff who have seen it all before; but whilst there were thankfully no injuries its a timely reminder of the dangers that are still lurking and the bizarre motivation of those who seek to rekindle the flames of sectarian division.

As you would expect we have sent a message of support to our Brothers and Sisters in PBNI and our thoughts are with them as they go about their business as usual.

Cafcass in profile at upcoming Napo events

I hear that the Women in Napo (WiN) planning group have taken steps to raise the profile of the Family Court Section at this year’s WiN conference . For more details on the conference see:
https://www.napo.org.uk/women-napo-conference-2015-all-different-all-tog...

This year’s conference will be looking at the increase in sexual exploitation of children – Sarah Champion MP who has done a lot of work in Rotherham on this issue will be a keynote speaker. Hilary Barrett from Cafcass will also contribute to this debate and is sure to provide some excellent input. The conference will also include a professional theme around maintaining professional standards in outsourced services and the FCS Vice-Chair Jay Barlow has agreed to chair this panel discussion.

I hope that FCS members are able to attend – and it is acknowledged that the FCS conference and WiN conference are very close together.  The WiN conference takes place on Friday 12th June in York and the FCS Conference which I am really looking forward to takes place in Birmingham on 18th June.

I hope that as many FCS members as possible will do their best to attend these events.

I will be back on line next week.