A major change to trade union law means Napo can now run statutory industrial action ballots electronically making it easier for members to have their say. But there is one thing we need from you: your personal email address.
This change means that we can conduct ballots quicker and definitely cheaper as we say goodbye to having to rely solely on postal voting paper.
But there is a catch. If we don’t have your personal email address, you won’t be able to receive an electronic ballot.
And we don’t want something as simple as an out-of-date or missing email address to be the thing that stops you having your say.
We have come too far to lose momentum now
Our indicative ballot on workloads delivered a decisive 90% vote in favour of being prepared to take industrial action.
That was a huge show of strength. But the truth is it’s the formal ballot is where it really counts.
Think of the indicative ballot as a jab. The formal ballot needs to be the gut punch that gets the employer to fold.
A massive response from Napo members will send a clear message that probation staff have had enough of excessive workloads, inadequate pay and being expected to keep an overstretched service running through goodwill and unpaid effort.
We have got this far because members have stood together.
Don’t let a missing email address be the thing that holds you back now.
Check your details. Make sure you can vote.
If Napo doesn’t have your personal email address, or you’re not sure whether we have the right one, now is the time to update your details.
We are preparing for the formal industrial action ballot, which is due to open on 19 October and close at noon on 13 November.
When that ballot opens, we want you to be ready.
One Response
Probation needs to move with the times and start recognising the value, experience and dedication of its PSOs. It is incredibly frustrating to see experienced PSOs, who have spent years in the profession and built up a wealth of knowledge, treated as though their contribution is worth less than that of others.
PSOs work just as hard as POs, and in many cases, arguably harder. We deal with significant workloads, challenging situations and enormous amounts of stress, yet we are often made to feel like the bottom of the profession. The pay gap is disgraceful, particularly when you consider the level of responsibility and experience many PSOs bring to the role.
The fact that progression into management is restricted because we don’t hold the PO qualification is another major issue. Surely years of experience, proven ability and professional knowledge should count for something? Why should dedicated, experienced staff feel that their career progression is limited simply because they followed a different route into the profession?
With the top of the PSO pay scale at £33,549, I honestly believe we deserve better recognition and fairer pay for the work we do, the pressure we face and the contribution we make to probation.
It’s time probation stopped overlooking its experienced PSOs and started treating us with the respect, recognition and fairness we deserve.
Any other PSOs feel the same? I’d be interested to hear your views. Do you think it’s time for a serious review of PSO pay, career progression and how experienced staff are valued within probation?