CAFCASS Section

After a protracted series of negotiations lasting the best part of 2008, Napo members in the Family Court Service today ratified the Strategic Pay Review offer following a series of members' meetings across the network.

236 members voted for the offer with 45 against.

Napo's Assistant General Secretary Ian Lawrence, said that: 'despite the conclusive vote in favour, the result masks considerable anger amongst members over the delay in the negotiations, the original stance taken by the employer and an offer which, while producing respectable sums of money in subsequent years, represents a poor return in 2008 in the face of current inflation.'

The employer has been advised of the result and Napo await confirmation of when CAFCASS anticipate paying out the settlement including backpay from 1st April.

More news on CAFCASS developments to follow.