The announcement last week was a huge step forward in restoring the Probation Service but it is not the end of our campaign. Our demands are that we want a world class service:
- With fully unified service provision
- In the public sector and never for profit but out of the civil service and released from prison
- Built on evidence based practice
- Rooted in the local community and partnering with local specialist providers
We have made progress with the first demand but there is work to do on the others. While we re-shape our campaign the announcement on reunification also brings with it other considerations. We have re-set our priorities which we are already taking up with senior HMPPS leaders:
- Support the C-19 recovery programme in all employers ensuring that members are protected as services move to new exceptional delivery models in response to the changes to lockdown restrictions.
- Demand a job offer for all CRC staff in the NPS and continue to negotiate the staff transfer and protections agreement which will underpin the transfers in June 2021.
- Reframe our campaign towards achieving a Probation Service in the public sector and never for profit but out of the civil service and released from prison, built on evidence based practice, and rooted in the local community and partnering with local specialist providers.
- Demand that the Government address the outstanding issue of the delay in paying the 2020 NPS pay progression and negotiation of the 2020 pay award.
The response from Napo members and our supporters such as academic partners, the TUC, the Labour Party front bench and the GFTU to last week’s announcement has been hugely positive. Nevertheless, the Napo Officers, General Secretary and the Napo team appreciate that there will be some members who feel some uncertainty about their future. Nor do we underestimate the damage done to clients, victims and their families and the profession as a result of the disastrous reforms that were enacted in 2014.
This is why we have made our negotiating objectives very clear and we hope to publish more news soon about the progress we are making on these.
Why all Probation staff should consider joining Napo
Meanwhile, we hope that our members will take every opportunity to engage with non-member colleagues to explain what Napo are trying to do in support of all Probation staff as we move to rebuild the service after years of Government neglect.
Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs)
It’s a fact that VLOs are not talked about as often as other roles within the probation service, yet their role is vitally important.
E3 caused a lot of anger, stress and anxiety for many of our members especially VLOs, being under resourced and under stress from workloads. Even though there were concerns Napo tried to make sure that the E3 job evaluation was conducted fairly and transparently. Despite our efforts VLOs were downgraded within the confines of E3 and even though members worked hard with us on an appeal it was clear that the employer had amended the job description in order to achieve the band 3 outcome.
We secured a commitment that the job evaluation be reviewed for VLOs, especially as for some they will be coming to a point when their protection of pay has ended or is soon to end. This process will be undertaken by the job evaluation team who will consult practitioners and unions on the job description and job description questionnaire (JDQ) before they are submitted to the panel.
Napo are seeking to find out what are the current issues for you as a VLO and what you want to contribute to influence the job evaluation review. If you’re not a VLO, but know someone who is, please alert them about this communication in case they don’t see it. Any non-members can take part by first joining Napo via https://www.napo.org.uk/content/join-us and then getting in touch once they are a member.
What do I need to do?
Contact ibhogal@napo.org.uk to register your interest. Once we have a network of VLO members we can discuss issues via email and Zoom calls.
News from the TUC
A number of the Napo HQ team have signed up for Organise 2020 which is the TUC’s free festival for exchanging ideas about union organising. This will bring together activists and staff from unions in the UK and the rest of the world for three days of online events between 9 - 11 July. The festival will showcase union organising stories, host debates on major trends in organising, and offer online training sessions in key organising topics and new digital technologies. The aim is to encourage and support unions in working together.
There will be speakers from within and beyond the trade union movement, including Angela Rayner MP Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Billy Bragg and Maxine Peake and plenary sessions on organising against the far-right and racism, organising around the globe and much more.
Pre-register now online and you’ll be the first to hear what’s happening https://www.tuc.org.uk/organise-2020
Putting Workers at the Heart of a Recovery: what can we learn from Spain?
Wednesday 24th June, 16.00-17.00
The Covid-19 crisis has shown the vital role that trade unions play in protecting workers' jobs and safety around the world. In Spain, the Labour Ministry has worked closely with unions during the crisis and building the recovery. This event will hear from the Spanish Labour and Social Economy Minister, Yolanda Díaz Pérez and Labour Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Policy Ed Miliband MP, to discuss how progressive forces can work together to create a fairer future for working people. The event will be chaired by Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer at the Observer. You can register in advance here: REGISTER HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.