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January 25, 2009
KNOWING WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE
FROM THE WEBLOG OF NAPO'S GENERAL SECRETARY
"It has been a hectic couple of weeks and these past few days, to be frank, particularly wearisome.
The NNC for the Probation Service met on Tuesday and the trade union side left the meeting more than a little depressed. Our warnings to the Probation Association (which represents the employers) about the financial crisis facing the Service failed to register any significant response. And our proposal to seek ways to work together to defend the Service was met with indifference. The phrase 'fiddling while Rome burns' came to mind.
Tim Wilson and I also met with David Hanson this week. That felt a more productive meeting as the Minister is someone who is always prepared to debate and argue the issues. The threat to Probation identity in NOMS is our constant refrain and rumours reaching us that the Probation Service will be required to carry a disproportionate portion of the cuts in NOMS compared to the prisons only reinforces our argument about who is fighting for the Service at the MoJ?"
Posted by Hampshire at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
URGENT BRANCH MEETING - 6TH FEBRUARY
EMERGENCY BRANCH MEETING will be held On: FRIDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2009
At: IB ROAD, PORTSMOUTH At: 2PM
This meeting is being held to enable members to vote on the final proposal offered by HPA in relation to the Travel Policy (incorporating the ECU/Car parking allowances)
FAILURE TO ATTEND MEANS YOU WILL NOT BE HEARD
YOU WILL NEED TO ATTEND TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE
Posted by Hampshire at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2009
BRANCH MEETING MINUTES - 16 JANUARY 2009
BRANCH MEETING MINUTES
Town Quay, Southampton
Friday 16th January 2009
Present & Apologies – In book. Note that meeting quorate.
Matters of accuracy – Previous Minutes agreed.
Matters arising out of previous Minutes and not to be covered on Agenda.
Edridge Fund Rep: noted that JK has now returned to position. Thanks given to Vice Chairs for covering.
Environment - noted that fewer copies of documents for Members printed out for meeting. However, documents were not attached to electronic notification of meeting as agreed. Branch Secretary gave apologies.
AGENDA – NOTED THAT EXECUTIVE MEMBERS HAVE AGREED CHANGE TO AGENDA TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS DISCUSS PRIORITY ISSUE OF TRAVEL POLICY PROPOSALS. AS TIME ALLOWS OTHER AGENDA ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED OR TO BE ATTACHED TO MINUTES FOR MEMBERS INFORMATION.
HPA Policies and Practices
With regards to the proposed Vacancy Management Policy; management and union reps have met on a number of occasions over the past 6/7 months to negotiate this Policy. Some sticking points noted regarding Directions, Advertising of posts, Status Quo clause when in Appeal, Probationary periods for promoted/transferred staff, Management direction of local staff. Thus, union reps advised management that this Policy not ready for agreement and should not have been put on Agenda for JNCC on the 13/01/2009. However, it was put on Agenda although subsequently removed at union request at the meeting. Concerns regarding practices such as probationary periods already being implemented despite no current procedural basis for these practices. Where this is occurring members need to aware of their right to raise a Grievance where HPA operating outside of agreed Policy. Moreover, probationary periods could be regarded as a fast track method of management applying capability procedures. This could potentially be used in a vindictive manner as another control mechanism. Proposed Probationary period is out of line with NNC conditions of employment.
With reference to the current Redundancy Policy – noted that the Policy on database has not been agreed with unions. This policy has no collective validity: it was not subject to proper consultation.
Geographical Allowances – union reps aware that there is an individual claiming this allowance who is not eligible. This unfair and a breach of the Policy. Matter has been raised with HR Director.
Both matters will be forwarded to JNCC.
Job Evaluation
Continued concerns linked to HPA’s failure to acknowledge joint partnership requirement in JE process.
It has come to light that a management side Panel member is untrained, unaccredited, and has been sitting on Panels. This contravenes fundamental principle of JE process. CO has been advised. Matter will go to JNCC in due course.
Information on posts to be evaluated/reviewed has been requested, yet management side have failed to provide this information.
Union official whose travel costs were refused; grievance ongoing and national rep involved.
Until matters resolved Napo representatives will not be participating in any future JE Panels. HPA are in clear breach of the JE scheme.
Travel/ECU/Car parking Proposals discussed.
Branch Chair presented history of Agreement, current status and potential options for future. Noted that union side allege management have breached the current agreement. This raised at JNCC and a Failure to Agree noted. Thus matter referred to a Disputes Panel.
Noted that union reps have not met with management side to negotiate any proposals contrary to that asserted in CO’s email. Union side informed that there would be a fundamental Review of the current Agreement. In October 2008 a number of proposals put to union reps and these have been consulted on. However, to date, reps have only been mandated to discuss any proposals within the confines of the current agreement.
General discussion regarding proposals issued on 12/01/09 followed. Each proposal explored.
Noted that Board have stated that removal of ECU is non- negotiable.
Noted that Napo representative have not been involved in developing these proposals although Option C a response to Reps comments that car parking is a major issue for staff.
Noted that there has been no negotiation over whether ECU allowance should be phased out.
Member noted that they felt management side have moved towards a compromise. Some discussion.
Noted that union reps ready to meet with management side at any time to negotiate an agreement.
Noted that no costings on proposals given.
Noted that budgetary constraints should be considered. However, also noted that under spend in last financial year has led to some funds being carried forward and also that a number of vacancies being carried.
Noted that union reps recommended that in line with the current agreement and the Taylor Report each post should be assessed for vehicle need thus ensuring no allowances paid where vehicles not necessary.
Vote taken on each Proposal:
OPTION A FOR – 0 AGAINST – UNANIMOUS
OPTION B FOR – 0 AGAINST – UNANIMOUS
OPTION C FOR – 0 AGAINST – ALL PRESENT (-1) ABSTENTION 1 (C)
Discussion followed regarding way forward for negotiators.
Various options explored.
Noted that any proposed action should focus on the withdrawal of vehicles.
Need to be wary of agreements with management as they have a history of failing to honour agreements and have stated that in exceptional circumstances agreements can be ‘walked away from’.
Noted that management could be much more creative in securing car parking for staff.
Noted that if car parking costs requested, vehicles must be used. Cannot expect HPA to pay for parking when vehicles not in use for business purposes
Buy out proposals discussed.
Car parking schemes explored, ie; inner city weighting payments.
Health and Safety considerations explored.
Member made proposal that union reps advise management that no other propositions be considered unless current Agreement honoured and changes properly negotiated with union reps.
MAJORITY SUPPORT
Further discussion followed and another Member made proposal that a variation of Proposal C be negotiated with management, with the following conditions:
An inner city weighting scheme be applied to ensure that staff who park in an office where there are charges and who need their vehicles for work will receive recompense to cover all parking charges.
All staff who are eligible to apply for and receive ECU be included in any buy out of the allowance.
Health & Safety issues in line with the Taylor Report be considered when allocating free parking.
MAJORITY SUPPORT EXCEEDING PREVIOUS PROPOSAL BY 2 VOTES
Thus, all agreed that Union Negotiators to participate in renegotiation of the Travel Allowance with the above provisos to guide negotiations.
UPW/Induction Issues
Concerns noted regarding the new 6 hour Induction process.
Noted that union side have not been involved in developing this these new practices at any stage.
Noted that staff are being directed to run this Induction despite training not being in place prior to implementation.
Concerns regarding purpose of Induction, breaks for Induction attendees, refreshment arrangements, room availability. Several concerns about flawed arrangements:
risk assessments have not been undertaken
health and safety implications; lone working
diversity issues ie geography, employment and language used – disabilities, impairments are not ‘problems’.
Members advised to request risk assessments and training for this new practice.
WMT
Napo representatives attended meeting to finalize implementation of the local WMT proposal. At the meeting reps advised that NOMS is looking at a new tool in consultation with unions and this likely to be implemented in the near future. Thus, proposal not agreed and withdrawn. Napo reps confirmed that Napo national officers are involved in negotiating the new tool. Management and staff side to issue a Joint Statement to advise staff on developments.
New national tool likely to look at restructuring practice, especially in relation to Tier 1/2 practices. Changes to PSO role also likely ie; PSO’s to undertake FDRs.
Thus, in the interim, members advised to revert to previous tool to record workload or to keep personal record of duties.
Members also to note that an extra 15 minutes for completing UPW assessments now allocated at FDR and Oral Report stage.
AOB
Noted that HPA took civil action against a former TPO to reclaim training fee costs. HPA lost the action and the TPO was not required to repay the outstanding costs. Member asked for Branch permission to purchase a copy of the Hearing transcript to enable publication in the Probation Journal and Napo News. Branch permission agreed pending the TPO’s permission.
Also agreed that a FOI request be made to HPA for information regarding the legal fees and staff time involved in pursuing this action.
Date of next meetings – Friday 13th March 2009 at 2pm at IB Road, Portsmouth. Hampshire & IOW Calendar of Events attached.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE NOT DISCUSSED AT BRANCH MEETING DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS. HOWEVER, THESE MATTERS WERE DISCUSSED AT EXECUTIVE MEETING AND THE FOLLOWING NOTED FOR MEMBER’S INFORMATION:
Member Involvement Concerns noted that members often feel apprehensive about union activity. Also noted that meetings could be more user friendly. Agreed for executive member introductions to be made at branch meetings.
Women in Napo (WIN)
Members reminded that the WIN Conference to be hosted by Hampshire & the Isle of Wight in 2009. The theme is ‘Mayday – Celebration or SOS?’ and will focus on the achievements of women in the Probation Service as well as some of the ongoing issues that females face in society that can ultimately lead them into contact with the criminal justice services. Venue - Jurys Inn in Southampton. Date – Friday 1st May 2009. Speakers to be confirmed but high profile speakers anticipated. It is hoped that due to the nature of the conference the event will be deemed a professional event and female members will be able to attend as part of their continuing professional development. It is recommended that female members book this date into their diaries and members will be kept updated.
Next WIN Committee meeting to be held on 27/01/2009. Updates to Members after this meeting.
As WIN Conference to be hosted by Hampshire & the Isle of Wight Branch we require female volunteers to act as Monitors the event. Please contact TW for more details.
Union Social Events Social events planned for 2009.
Family fun day at Paultons Park on Sunday 12th June 2009. Members are requested to make their own way to the Park for inclusion in group entry. Entry costs to be met by the Branch. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Maximum of 4 tickets per family. Please contact TW for registration forms.
Coach to be provided for Members to attend the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in July 2009. Please contact TW for further details.
Branch AGM, Sea Street, IOW – 19th June 2009. Social get together after AGM at a local hostelry.
Membership Report.
Membership Secretary reported 270 serving and retired Members. 4 new Members in December. 1 new Member in November.
TE fed back on Recruitment Week . Noted that best means of recruitment is through recommendation and word of mouth.
MS noted he will be away for 7 weeks in March and April 2009. TW to oversee membership issues in his absence.
NEC matters TW was unable to attend previous NEC. To update on who will attend next NEC and ensure a rep from Hampshire available.
Staffing/Local issues:Clustering in the prisons.
ACO liaising with union reps regarding this issue. Barry Greenberry (Governor, Albany) wishes to liaise with Chair to discuss this issue. Chair has agreed to meet with BG to gain further information. Branch will liaise with POA comrades prior to meeting on 20/01/09.
Treasurer’s Report.
Treasurer sends apologies. No Report available.
Health & Safety Report
H&S Rep sends apologies. No Report available.
Lack of heating in BH discussed.
AOB
Noted that Branch Officers are still awaiting information regarding Board Members expenses. This information requested in March 2008 under Freedom of Information legislation and has not been provided to date. Complaint has now been made to the Information Commissioner.
Edridge Fund Christmas Cards still available at £3.50 for 10. All proceeds go directly to Edridge Fund. Please contact TW if you wish to purchase a pack of cards.
Posted by Hampshire at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2009
CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT - INFORMATION/ADVICE
OVERVIEW
CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT
VARYING A CONTRACT
CAN MY EMPLOYER CHANGE MY CONTRACT?
ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE IF YOU HAVE A QUERY ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT
Posted by Hampshire at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2009
BRANCH MEETING
NEXT BRANCH MEETING FRIDAY 16th JANUARY 2009
AT TOWN QUAY, SOUTHAMPTON
AT 2PM
AGENDA ITEMS WILL INCLUDE:
Travel Allowances: ECU/Car Parking, Concerns about operation of Job Evaluation ,Changes in practice UPW / Induction, Policies – issues of compliance and agreement, Workloads Weighting Tool.
Branch officials will be attending a JNCC days before the branch meeting and we will be able to update the branch so we can collectively decide upon next steps in various areas.
Members will probably have seen the paper on travel allowances intended for the JNCC, which the chief officer, lacking precedent, chose to circulate throughout the area.
Napo’s positions, however, will always be informed by its membership and so it is important to try and attend the branch meeting.
We know from our individual contact with members that there are a range of concerns relating to employer treatment.
The ability of the union to represent individuals is strengthened when we also speak with a collective voice. There is strength in unity. It is important to fight for the issues that matter to you. By attending branch meeting you help shape the decisions that define your options and actions.
Posted by Hampshire at 08:31 PM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2009
COMMUNITY PAYBACK AND PROBATION VALUES
A core probation value is Treating people fairly, openly and with respect.
Forcing offenders to wear demeaning clothing is neither fair or respectful.
"...a public degradation both emblematic and practical as it dehumanised the wearers ..."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/01/jack-straw-offenders-tabards?commentpage=1
Posted by Hampshire at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)