General Secretary’s blog - genuine news for members
Napo regularly issues information about the TR campaign but if you want another route for genuine and up to date summaries about what your union is actually doing and saying on your behalf by those elected to do so, then members may wish to regularly take a look at the frequent blog postings from Napo’s General Secretary Ian Lawrence. The blog is also accessible via twitter @iawrencel and can be easily circulated more widely to your followers
Today’s posting includes thoughts on the death of Bob Crow and Tony Benn, the House of Lords debate on the Offender Rehabilitation Bill, the Public Accounts Committee hearing on TR, and this weeks meetings with senior Noms and MoJ management, there is also a section showing how Napo are taking the campaign against TR out to opinion makers by way of face to face contact and use of the media.
Today’s posting includes thoughts on the death of Bob Crow and Tony Benn, the House of Lords debate on the Offender Rehabilitation Bill, the Public Accounts Committee hearing on TR, and this weeks meetings with senior Noms and MoJ management, there is also a section showing how Napo are taking the campaign against TR out to opinion makers by way of face to face contact and use of the media.
But sadly we seem to be none the wiser as to the veracity of what Lord Faulkes actually said in that House of Lords debate:-
ORB gets the nod from the Lords - but its close
Last summer we helped to deal a significant body blow and a delay to Graylings TR plans after a campaign that was spearheaded by the intrepid duo Lord Ramsbotham and Lord Beecham. This resulted in the Lords bouncing the Offender Rehabilitation Bill as amended, back to the Commons.
I recall seeing a letter from Ian Porrie a day or two afterwards, which arrogantly claimed that it was no big deal, and that it (the ORB) would be waved through next time in 20 minutes.
Nine long months has passed since, and the Bill was finally back in the Lords this week having been through two Commons debates, and was once again the subject of a Lord Ramsbotham sponsored amendment seeking proper Parliamentary and public scrutiny of the TR agenda and the plans to fragment the Probation service.
Sadly, for our Lordship, the Government had clearly learned from their earlier humbling defeat and had since created 20 new Peers to boost their numbers and dispensed with the services of their previous Minister Lord McNally. His replacement in the form of Lord Faulkes, is by contrast something of a smoother and younger operator, yet even he occasionally struggled with the script as he trotted out some of the same platitudinous 'evolution not revolution' claptrap as his predecessor had done and the blatant lie that the unions had agreed the staff assignment process.
Sitting high up in the Gallery allowed me a great view of the individual and collective body language of the inhabitants of this establishment, which ranged from avid attention by some and post- lunch torpor for others and anything somewhere in between from the remainder.
In fairness the debate was of a standard that you would expect, with the amendments supporters deploying a range of well-informed arguments as a result of our excellent briefing material, but I and others had a nagging feeling that this was going to be about the scores on the doors, pure and simple.
The vote when it was called resulted in a huge turnout where the 'Contents' (with the amendment) and' Non-Contents' filed through into the Lobbies as the government whips literally dragged their supporters out of the bars and restaurants to avoid another cataclysmic defeat.
Of course the 20 vote margin was disappointing and not unexpected, because of the numbers game, but also for the fact that many Labour Lords are currently unwell or in some case too ill to regularly attend at the House. That matters of serious public interest are often decided by such a fine line is one of the flaws of democracy.
I want to record Napo members thanks to Lords Ramsbotham and Beecham and all those who supported their amendments, for actually boosting the vote against these plans and helping to keep what this Government is doing to the Probation service as an issue of high public profile. The campaign continues.
For me the significant feature was 80 Liberal Democrat Peers supporting the government and only one willing to vote with Lord Ramsbotham. I will return to the subject of the weasel Lib Dems in another post.
Ian Porrie eh? Any relation to Ian Porree? (with an accent over the first e)
ReplyDeleteProbably - it is frustrating when audio typists, type what they hear and the dictator is short of time to proof read, I suggest that helpful post would have been better placed as a comment on Ian's Blog than here.
DeleteI found it especially embarrassing when it happened with court reports of mine that were signed by colleagues because I was absent on other business - which may have happened with Ian Lawrence's blog. It should not happen, but it has happened to me and I expect to most folk who generate written material.
I put my comment on his blog and had it published immediately - members and others can all give him a direct response. (Once they have registered on the Napo website - which may not be an immediate business) - I have been a critic of Napo's Forums since I told Judy McKnight face to face years ago.
NOMS Organogram states:
Delete"Ian Poree. Director of. Service. Development. £135,000 –. £139,999."
A.Pedant
I'm so sorry this is off topic but I'm feeling so fed up tonight, I thought I would offload a little. this is all down to TR apparently. I've been on maternity leave and am due back In May. Back in October I approached HR to ask about returning 3 days a week instead of 5. This was to give plenty of notice ahead of staffing decisions etc. HR said it shouldn't be a problem but to apply nearer the time. So beginning of Feb, I spoke to line manager and completed application. Line manager and HR agreed it and within the 2 week time scale 28 day timescale outlined in the Policy. Now, a higher manager has told my line manager that he should not have made the decision( although policy says he can) and should have gone higher. I am now told that a decision cannot be made until June when the split happens. I can't go back full time so am having to book 2 days a week leave for the first month back til a decision is made. So cannot
ReplyDeleteMake a decision even about leaving until June. I am so fed up I can't tell you. How can we be treated like this and how can decisions just be reversed and all due to TR?
The is the new normal, I think we can all see from the TR process that we are mere commodities to be moved around like chess pieces by the powerful and the deluded. There is no compassion but there is plenty of discrimination and outright bullying. Act pro-social they are having a laugh. :(
ReplyDeleteIn my area's Flexible Working Policy change in hours etc, the decision has to be made by ACE not first line manager/HR but if yr area policy gives authority to line manager snd yougot it in writing sounds like good grievance case.Recommend you see yr local Union rep
ReplyDeleteI don't get why the Lib Dems continue to be human suppositories for the Conservatives. How the hell do they think they are going to be elected next year when they are going against their supposed values to curry favour with those bastard Tories. When are Lib Dems gonna release that come election time they will be considered to be less than a fart in the wind to the Tory party.
ReplyDeleteI have less respect for the Lib Dems than for the Tories. At least with the Tories they are a consistent a bunch of swines.
Why don't the Lib Dem gets some gumption, start to distance themselves from the Tories and get some sense and values. I never have and never will vote for these Lib Dem cowards. Message to Lib Dems "fuck you".
The answer to Anon 21:28 is the Lib Dems want power at all costs. Our whole profession has been sold out by them ( because yes, they could have stopped this) in return for the school meal deal and other bargaining issues. WE HAVE BEEN TRADED OUT OF EXISTENCE. I am angry at the Lib Dems and the Tories and no longer have faith in politicians.
ReplyDeleteThere is something we can do, at the suggestion of someone who posted on this blog some time ago, I intend to vote UKIP as that is what the Tories fear. It is only a protest vote I loathe everything UKIP stand for but it is the only thing I can do to really rattle them as it will dilute the Tory vote further.