Dear All
“If TR is already looking a bit ropey, can’t we just take a back seat while it unravels?”
The answer to this is no and here’s why:
The Fragmentation of Probation
The creation of shadow CRC and NPS organisations is creating havoc in what is already a difficult job. Workloads are sky high and the additional burden of having separate organisations is increasing it massively. Members are reporting that this is simply unmanageable. The reallocation of cases alone is an impossible task when trusts are trying to function with huge staff vacancies. Consider what is around the corner. The new case allocation system and the risk escalation process will turn professional decisions into lengthy bureaucratic nightmares. What takes minutes now will take hours of form filling. Where are the clients in all of this?
The Strike
There are as many different views about the Strike action as there are members. We are able to take action without a ballot because the original dispute is still running with our employers. As the reality of Transforming Rehabilitation takes hold, we have more reason, not less, to take action. The Strike action has to be united and a majority of members taking part in advance of the split happening. Look at the delays secured already and there has been an admission by the Ministry of Justice that if TR is not “business ready” then the split will not go ahead. There is a moral obligation on us to demonstrate why TR should not happen. Strike action is the best way of highlighting this to the wider public.
We know taking strike action is financially difficult and for those who will experience a disproportionate impact there will be a limited strike fund which can be applied to. Further guidance will follow.
Action Short of Strike Action
By completing loads of sessional work, we are papering over the cracks in TR. Our action will be a ban on overtime sessional work for the period of one month, with the possibility to extend. The guidance attached covers the period from 2nd April to 30th April 2014. Don’t book anything for that month. This will inevitably cause court delays, defendants may have to wait for sentencing, programmes may not run, unpaid work projects may be delayed or unsupervised. So be it. This is nothing compared to what will happen if the split and privatisation goes ahead.
By completing loads of sessional work, we are papering over the cracks in TR. Our action will be a ban on overtime sessional work for the period of one month, with the possibility to extend. The guidance attached covers the period from 2nd April to 30th April 2014. Don’t book anything for that month. This will inevitably cause court delays, defendants may have to wait for sentencing, programmes may not run, unpaid work projects may be delayed or unsupervised. So be it. This is nothing compared to what will happen if the split and privatisation goes ahead.
Action Short of Strike Action: Guidance For Members
Unison
We get asked a lot of questions about whether Unison are striking. It is right that we don’t publicly comment on the industrial strategy of our sister union. We are both member led organisations who have separate decision making processes, sometimes these decisions converge and sometimes they don’t. We sorry that we cannot comment further on this issue but there is good news about co-ordinated action below:
Unison
We get asked a lot of questions about whether Unison are striking. It is right that we don’t publicly comment on the industrial strategy of our sister union. We are both member led organisations who have separate decision making processes, sometimes these decisions converge and sometimes they don’t. We sorry that we cannot comment further on this issue but there is good news about co-ordinated action below:
The wider political scene
At the Women’s TUC, Yvonne Pattison, our Napo National Vice Chair, made a speech about the domestic violence and Napo’s commitment to protecting victims and working constructively with offenders. She also announced the strike to enormous applause. We have been invited to be guest speaker at a national Social Services event in the North East- they are worried that the government wants to try the same thing with them. They will be looking at us to take the lead in opposing the government. We are part of a wider movement and strengthening a coalition of resistance.
Linking up with the Justice Alliance
For some time now Napo has been seeking to co-ordinate action with other trade unions and supportive organisations, and we are now finalising plans for a joint day of action with the Justice Alliance on 1st April which will include a central London Rally at the Old Bailey. Full details of this and a list of local Justice Alliance contacts will appear shortly. We are hoping that members from London and those from Branches within travelling distance will join with the Lawyers and Barristers to provide a strong show to the public. We are also working on inviting a number of prominent speakers who have been supportive of the joint cause against privatisation and cuts to legal aid.
At the Women’s TUC, Yvonne Pattison, our Napo National Vice Chair, made a speech about the domestic violence and Napo’s commitment to protecting victims and working constructively with offenders. She also announced the strike to enormous applause. We have been invited to be guest speaker at a national Social Services event in the North East- they are worried that the government wants to try the same thing with them. They will be looking at us to take the lead in opposing the government. We are part of a wider movement and strengthening a coalition of resistance.
Linking up with the Justice Alliance
For some time now Napo has been seeking to co-ordinate action with other trade unions and supportive organisations, and we are now finalising plans for a joint day of action with the Justice Alliance on 1st April which will include a central London Rally at the Old Bailey. Full details of this and a list of local Justice Alliance contacts will appear shortly. We are hoping that members from London and those from Branches within travelling distance will join with the Lawyers and Barristers to provide a strong show to the public. We are also working on inviting a number of prominent speakers who have been supportive of the joint cause against privatisation and cuts to legal aid.
Best wishes
TOM RENDON IAN LAWRENCE
National Chair General Secretary
TOM RENDON IAN LAWRENCE
National Chair General Secretary
Firstly let me say I am not in NAPO, so have no axe to grind one way or the other. I have commented previously that I did not think members had the stomach for another strike . . .my most recent observations lead me to think that enthusiasm for direct action has waned. In my LDU it is very much 'business as usual', additional work is absorbed readily just the same as covering for sick colleagues. Yes we moan to each other about it, but we still do it. We seem to get around the need for 'sessional work' by re - employing (on temp short term contracts) ex PO's who recently took early retirement !. Nobody bats an eyelid, they are just welcomed back into the fold like they never left. Strike action will not "secure delays" although I am still hopefull that the sheer ineptitude of those forcing TR through at break - neck speed will delay matters. My real concern is that a lacklustre day and a half of action will actually do far more harm than good. Why can't area NAPO reps simply phone individual members and pose the very simple question "will you be out at the end of the month or not ?". It isn't too late for damage limitation.. . just remember a poor turnout, as well as empowering Grayling, may well demotivate non - striking NAPO colleagues and Unison members.
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