Napo’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has unanimously passed an emergency motion declaring that it has no confidence in HMPPS as an employer.
Meeting yesterday, NEC considered a packed agenda covering the wide range of issues currently affecting members across the Probation Service.
The unanimous no confidence vote reflects the growing anger and frustration felt by members who continue to face excessive workloads, mounting workplace pressures and ongoing uncertainty over pay.
But the message from NEC was not just about frustration, it was also about action.
A significant proportion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing progress on key campaigns and agreeing the next steps in Napo’s fight for meaningful action from the employer.
NEC reviewed organising plans, campaign activity and member engagement strategies designed to build pressure on HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice in the weeks ahead.
Members should look out for details of a series of national meetings that will be rolled out over the coming month. These meetings will provide updates on upcoming campaigns, discuss the issues facing the service and allow members to help shape the union’s next steps.
NEC also discussed the increasing likelihood that members will be asked to participate in an indicative ballot. If no meaningful progress is made on excessive workloads, and we experience another round of unreasonable delays over pay, Napo is preparing for the possibility of a formal industrial action ballot.
This no confidence motion is proof if ever it was needed that trust in the employer’s ability to handle workloads, pay, health and safety and the implementation of agreements that directly affect staff has evaporated. Things need to change, and they need to change now.
Branch and Section Committees are encouraged to arrange briefings with their NEC representatives for a fuller update on the discussions and decisions taken at the meeting.
Read the motion here: https://www.napo.org.uk/nec-has-no-confidence-hmpps-employer
2 responses
This action has been long coming and perhaps the no confidence vote applies retrospectively , let’s say for last 10 years!
Nothing has changed with regard to these issues which have incrementally become worse for a beleaguered well meaning work force trying to do a decent job in the face of such obstacles.
Amongst many things there is the point blank refusal to address the CBF pay progression which the Civil Service claim has to be factored in to the overall pay settlement despite saying “At the end of the CBF year, the pay progression decision is made. We expect that most eligible staff will progress through their pay band each year through the CBF. The CBF will not move you down your pay band.” and hinging their delay to the vague statement this makes. They insist on wanting people at the top of band who will not get a competency increase to complete the process “just in case” there is a new point added. Under NO circumstances should this ever be allowed to happen.
No acknowledgement of the hours that are put in beyond those contractually required and certainly no payment…I would guess if every officer put down 15 hours TOIL it would still underestimate the amount. And the same probably goes for holidays deferred not due to sickness or maternity absence but just to get the job done.
And let us think of those of our colleagues who work just above minimum wage despite often having some of the most important roles to keep the service going forwards.
So when the CEO or whatever could not believe there was a vote of no confidence, let us just consider the delayed and awful approach to pay by HMPPS last year and just in time for this. Making themselves look like they are the good guys whereas those on the front line know that they are understaffed, recruitment and retention is not fulfilling the holes created by the dreadful TR experiment. As a further insult rather than have the DG for probation managing probation it was originally to be managed under the DG Prisons.
Let us be clear, without Probation, none of the justice system would work. Clearing up the underinvestment and the difficulties faced by colleagues in other parts of the justice system is now almost routine but it has come at a cost to our staff, our colleagues and our families.
So no, it should not be surprised, underpaid and under valued is just the start, add in a touch of contempt and you are probably only halfway to where the members of this or any other union are.
They need a better solution than 13-14 months for a decision to be made on pay as well as offering almost an insult and calling it ‘excellent’…as well as a significant pay rise as the service cannot compete with other employment areas with comparative skill sets who are paid more.
Rant over