Latest From Napo 27

Here's the latest email from Napo HQ sent to all members earlier today. I'll refrain from passing comment on the Accountability, Decision Making & Social Media section and instead leave readers to decide from whose perspective social media might be regarded as either 'good' or 'bad':-

Dear All

Here’s a brief update on a range of issues.  There will be further information in the campaign bulletins and the new edition of Napo News is now available here.  Within the next couple of weeks the new website will be up and running which will give members much easier access to all of Napo’s briefing papers including specifics on TR and press statements.  Most members will have received letters formally assigning them to their jobs in the two new organisations.  That these came over the weekend is as clear as signal as any of the complete disregard shown to staff by NOMS- please see the TR bulletins on the website for further guidance here.

Legal challenges
We have issued our Pre-Action Protocol letter (Judicial Review) to the Government and we received a response last Friday.  The letter we sent was as wide ranging as the numerous problems we have with TR.  Needless to say, the Treasury Solicitor merely defends the government position.  Broadly, that TR is a demonstrable success, that service delivery is unaffected that there is no increase of bureaucracy and so on and so forth.  A number of issues arise out of that response and the next job is to decipher which are the strongest policy arguments (to be used in parliamentary challenges) and which are legal points (for JR).

Legal issues are not only those that would be examined in the High Court because others may be for the Employment Tribunal.  For example, issues of discrimination in the assignment process, material changes to job descriptions without agreement etc.  We will be exploring some of those cases and Judicial Review at a meeting with leading counsel today.

The Split 
This is taking the most terrible toll on members and it is so vital that we try and remain united in the face of this.  The case transfers and workloads are hitting members hard.  High workloads are a legitimate issue for grievances, stress risk assessment and local disputes.  These industrial relations issues will transfer into the new organisations and will leave an audit trail to keep you protected if anything goes wrong.  Above all, make sure you look after your own health.  If you suffer stress, anxiety, sleeplessness etc. we advise you to fill out an Accident & Incident form and keep a copy.  Remember that if there is no record, it’s very hard to prove later down the line.  If you are excessively stressed, please see your doctor immediately.

Many of these problems are imposed on us by government but some we have more control over.  Accounts from members highlight their distress and the shocking crassness displayed by some Trusts.  Arguments over assigning interview rooms and parking spaces to NPS and CRC beggar belief, NPS staff being referred to as “top dogs” etc. are disgraceful and do not need to happen.  One of the biggest risks we face is an “us and them” environment.  Of course, this is exactly what the government wants - an atomised, unorganised and weakened workforce- but it is within our grasp to resist this.  It is not our job title or employer that defines our opposition to the sell-off, it is our union membership.

Accountability, Decision Making & Social Media
The National Executive Committee met last week.  Many of you will be familiar with the structure of Napo but some less so.  The NEC comprises of two representatives of each branch and the Family Court Section elected locally with national black reps elected nationally.  They are empowered to make decisions on behalf of Napo in between the AGMs.  They vote on various issues with a voting strength based on the number of members in their branch.  Part of their role is to act as the employer of Napo staff hence why some of their work is confidential (in line with HR good practice and employment law).  NEC Reps report back to branches on national matters and branches can feed information up to Officers and Officials through this channel.  Apart from NEC confidential documents, all papers are copied to branch Chairs and Secretaries.  This is the way Napo is accountable to its members and we would encourage as many of you as possible to take part in branch meetings and get involved.

There is a great amount of activity on social media; some good, some bad.  Where it is anonymous we can’t respond to it because there’s no accountability.  For Napo members wanting to influence policy, please put motions for debate through your branch and take a visible part in the process. 

campaigns@napo.org.uk
Some of the examples you have sent in have been referred to lawyers and we are compiling a dossier of issue “types” which will go in the parliamentary bulletins which will be sent out every week and copied to members.  We guarantee your personal information will be protected.  There will be more information on this in the next campaign bulletins.

Best wishes,

TOM RENDON              IAN LAWRENCE
National Chair               General Secretary