Here's the latest blog from Ian Lawrence, Napo General Secretary, published yesterday. Love the reference to "speculative comments on social media networks."
Our members across probation will be well aware that Napo and our sister unions are engaged in an extremely challenging issue around the plans by the six Sodexo owned CRCs to shed 600 jobs. In addition, we are spending a considerable amount of time trying to unravel their intention to offer a variation of the Enhanced Voluntary Redundancy scheme (EVR) as enshrined in the National Staff Transfer and Protections agreement.
Last week the Joint Secretaries for the National Negotiating Council determined that the CRCs involved should formally refer the intention to vary the EVR terms to the Joint Secretaries for their consideration. A response has been received which the unions have been copied into and which is currently being analysed. This sets out Sodexo’s ideas about a timetable for discussion and consultation with members.
It is entirely understandable that we are starting to receive a few individual enquiries from members about the EVR ‘Offer’. While some of this is due to a combination of speculative comments on social media networks, local rumours, or the confusing messages being issued by CRC management, it is important that Napo reinforces the fact that defending National Collective bargaining is imperative, whether it’s about EVR or any other key issue impacting on terms and conditions.
I am also in discussion with UNISON and GMB to seek their views about where (we) are and where we go from here, and the Napo Officers and Officials meet again tomorrow. We intend to organise a joint meeting for UNISON and Napo reps at the earliest opportunity, and we are working up plans to consult with members at workplace meetings.
Sodexo have constantly said that they are seeking meaningful engagement with the trade unions on EVR (which is a welcome sign). Unfortunately they have decided to qualify this with a simultaneous threat to withdraw their proposals which, when they do get published will foster more questions than the company has answers to at the moment. That smacks of bad form and the odour of extortion.
Facts are important
In a message that I put out to Sodexo reps this morning I explained that from the information we have been able to share with them, it is clear that the situation regarding the formal publication of the proposed alternative voluntary redundancy scheme and how we actually enter into a dialogue with Sodexo on that (as well as their ideas about how many posts can go on EVR and when), is becoming more and more complex. I have committed to issue accurate information to our members in the six CRCs based on actual events along with news on what we are doing on their behalf and when. This is what our members, to whom I am accountable, would expect me to do.
The frustration out there would be eased considerably if Sodexo simply indicated that they are prepared to pay up on the full EVR terms and give people the same deal that others have already received when signing up for early departure. Its not like they cannot afford it.
Those questions
I have already received a number of key questions about the EVR situation from some of our reps that I intend to ask in the right places, and which I will copy more widely in due course. Members in the CRCs involved are invited to direct as many others as you can think of through your local reps who are doing a brilliant job on your behalf so please cut them some slack.
What I have seen so far suggests that we are absolutely right to suggest to members that they should not be intimidated or bounced into having to make critical decisions before they are in possession of a whole load more facts and assurances than Sodexo have been able to provide up to now.
More later in the week
Yet again we read the GS saying with the "what you would expect me to do " It is rubbish narcissist self talk.
ReplyDeleteGet a grip as the general secretary what he needs to be doing for members is fighting the proposals to make any members redundant as his primary issue.
The issue of the revised altered or amended new EVR is a foolish discussion. Shut up and see them in Court over the first abused and multiple cut workforce terms .
Win a victory for one and protect all the others. Oh but I guess he might really be weak on the issue of a real fight he did agree this mess. Now Chickens and roost come to mind !
Time for him to leave as GS surely ?
Meanwhile might Probation folk YET learn what seems maybe firm resolve from sufficient numbers of lawyers to disrupt the dangerous (to public safety & order) policies of the MOJ?
ReplyDeletehttp://jackofkent.com/2015/07/michael-gove-and-the-lawyers-revolt/
FROM TWITTER: -
ReplyDelete" Rob Flanagan @Rob_Flan 3m3 minutes ago
Public sector pay will increase by 1% over the next 4 years. So another cut to public sector then?! #budget2015 "
https://twitter.com/Rob_Flan/status/618749600585920512
MORE BUDGET COMMENT VIA TWITTER: -
Delete" Martyn Bannister @MartynBanniste1 6m6 minutes ago
@George_Osborne so the "recovery" is for everyone except public sector workers with a 1% pay rise #budget2015 "
https://twitter.com/MartynBanniste1/status/618749598241304576
It seems that Sodexo are determined to put their EVR terms to their workforce and I don't see there is much that the unions can do about it, unless there is a potential legal challenge regarding a breach of the framework agreement. There again, if individuals choose to go voluntarily on lesser terms, it's going to hard to frame something freely entered into as unjust. Many have already voluntarily left probation on terms less generous than EVR though usually with immediate pension payments for the over 55s which I gather - from social media rumours! - is not included in the Sodexo terms.
ReplyDeleteAs great a threat here is the further marginalisation of the unions. The 'odour of extortion' is a colourful phrase, but it probably captures the essence of Sodexos and the others waiting in the wings.
The framework agreement is unraveling and in truth the protections were more imagined than real. And on top of all this salaries in the public sector are going to decline in real terms for a further four years.
Netnipper, where does it say there is no pension release for over 55s. It was posted in this blog last week that the deal was going to be redundancy, or for over 55s, pensión, but not both.
DeleteWhat a shambles, we have the G.S frantically waving the white flag, begging to negotiate his members jobs away at the best market price the privateers can get away with, so who holds all the power in this exchange. The G.S is weak because he is way out of his depth with no mandate to quantify the position. Yet only a few brave souls on the NEC with integrity who had considered other candidates credibility and proven history voted for Hugh Lanning. This is a man whose success, tenacity and proven track record is legendary against Margaret Thatchers government; who persuades unions to declare solidarity and support and who would surely not have been intimidated into our humiliating current defeated position, surrendering to the employers demands and ignorantly signing away our futures. The NEC have been complicit in the shambles that thee once proud Probation Service has now become, appointing the best candidate to take us in the wrong direction. There will be no Probation Service in 5 years, the G.S will have moved on somewhere else when there's nothing left for him to give away, but not before he ensures at least 600 staff become unemployed. Our fait was sealed when the uninformed chose the ignorant to keep us safe.
DeletePensions are payable on leaving the organisation on the grounds of efficiency without penalty reductions before the age of 60. At 60 thank goodness we can still elect to go but with permission I understand without penalty. I do not think anyone will make that age in employment after this lot get through the public spending cuts.
DeleteI read the GS issues the mistake he continues to make is agreeing that any redundancies are acceptable on any level. The amount we might receive is not a justification to accept that many of us should be sacked. The AGM The NEC get a grip on the issues please before you let more of our members pay the price for your incompetence allowing him to carry on.
You can choose to leave at 60......the employer does not have to agree. if the old rule of 85 applies & you met the criteria there is no penalty. If you haven't got the years in then there is a penalty of roughly 5% of your pension for each year you are under 65 years (which is the normal retiring age for the LGPS). This applied to me as I recently retired aged 62 yrs with 19 years service.....this has been part of the pension scheme for years......bobbyjoe
DeleteBoom!! Our CRC are meeting all our targets. Get in :)
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha!!
DeleteFunniest comment i've seen for months!! Well done for making me chuckle it beats all the doom and gloom you normally read on here. At least when we are all in the same boat it shows that humour gets you through the day.
DeleteGreat. Will you be singing the Sodexo company song tomorrow. " Do Do Do the funky chicken...."....
DeleteEverybody say MONEY
DeleteMidlands NPS looking to move 10 PO's around due to shortages in Birmingham and other areas.
ReplyDeleteOne area in South East and East NPS losing 3 full time POs in the space of a few months. Not many left.
DeleteThey are going to have to start talking about moving PO's up past the top of Band 4 to get anyone to go to Birmingham
DeleteQuestion to Anonymous 9 July 2015 at 08:15 : Can you expand on how they are` losing 3 full time POs in the space of a few months'. Redundancy, sick or what ???
ReplyDeleteMaybe they've found other jobs. In my area a fair few PO' s have been promoted which is good, except they don't seem to be able to fill the resulting vacancies.
Delete12:14 new jobs, not promotions, just moving on.
Delete9 July 2015 at 18:43 : Seen the writing on the wall no doubt, jumping before they are pushed..... Plenty of CRC and TPOs would take their place though
DeleteNo CRC want to move to NPS, and TPOs not yet qualified.
Delete" The Social Workers Assembly
ReplyDeleteComing together to support, protect and promote social work in the Uk
GUEST BLOG: Regaining A Voice For Social Work:
The present priority
by Peter Beresford
July 7, 2015
http://thesocialworkersassembly.org.uk/blog/guest-blog-regaining-a-voice-for-social-work-the-present-priority-by-peter-beresford/ "
Do gooder social workers!!
DeleteA strange comment at 23:27 - who aims to NOT to do good in probation?
DeleteAdditionally local authority social workers have greater powers than probation officers, as they can actually apply for unconvicted people to be detained against their will, probation officers can only make such applications against those already subject to court orders who they allege are not complying with the conditions of those orders.
"Do gooder" is always an odd comment. It implies the commentator prefers to do bad or, even worse, do nothing. Which would be a cause for concern.
DeleteTo 20.56 In Probation Trusts it was not either an EVR or early pension - it was both, admittedly not on the EVR set out in the framework agreement but still higher than statutory levels.
ReplyDeleteMy admin manager phoned me whilst I was on the way to work this morning to tell me that someone I wrote a psr on last June was in reception saying he wanted to kill me. This man has a marker for knives and has a long and credible history of risk to staff and grievance thinking. The police were called at 9:15 and turned up at 11:00. The copper attending was lovely and took statements from me and witnesses but what was at least a section 4 if not threats to kill is most likely to be nfa'd. This is in the same week that that privileged fuckwit at the treasury tells me that the last 7 years of 1% pay rises are to be followed by 5 more. I've been a qualified PO for 12 years in September and am still only a third of the way up Band 4. At the same time he's cutting inheritance and corporation tax. Some of us are clearly more in it together than others. Fuck this shit.
ReplyDeleteThen i suggest you leave and stop moaning.
Deletewith you all the way. One word for them ... Bastards.
DeleteLeave? yes of course thats the answer isn't it. To let ppl like you power trip over vulnerable ppl in the service. What a sad response.
DeleteI had a client kicking off once. I helped him to write a letter, containing lots of nice pleasant swear words (unedited) and posted it for him to Chris Grayling with the address obtained from the internet. Now that's what I call front line empowerment work.
DeleteTo Anon 21:18 Sad response because you know it is true. People like me, you know nothing about me. The service does not exist anymore. Times have changed, for the worse but there is nothing you can do about it. So you either shut up, or put up with it. There are plenty people who would be willing to work. So count yourself lucky you have a job.
DeleteTo anon 0912. Yours is the gutless sad response! Shut up or put up. It's your attitudes and roll over with yr belly up actions that have got us here in the first place. This situation has been in sight for years but so many probation staff were busy bees making comfy nests for themselves that they couldn't even contemplate the future. It's amazing that some people continue to do this under an illusion they will retain a job if they shut up and put up. They do not want probation staff... End of. Fight for your rights!! At this stage it's all there is nothing elseleft to do. Support your union and do not even suggest someone like me roll over like the weak person you clearly are.
DeleteHaha sad o
DeleteInteresting article here in an Australian paper. It would appear that Sedoxo policies on robbing staff of redundancy payments is a global hobby, and I'm a little surprised to discover Sedoxo's relationship with Serco.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/sercosodexo-says-it-wont-appeal-11m-in-redundancy-payments-20150701-gi1fix.html
Another day another dollar. I feel good. The more I make for my CRC the better I feel. The more we make, the more our CRC pays in taxes and the more other public services benefit
ReplyDeleteAh, nice to see you're back! My sides have just recovered from the splitting that occurred after your post on Wednesday eve.
DeleteAlltogether now. Do Do Do the funky chicken.....
DeleteHopefully in CRC world we can make so much dosh we can all retire early. Sounds bloody marvellous, so everyone including 17.32 keep up those performance targets and lets keep the cash tills ticking over.
DeleteTo 17:32. You need to stop smoking shit with your offender - seriously it's effecting your thinking.when the penalties start clicking it's the ones like you who will get the boot first and i will be paying taxes for the benefits you will be claiming.
ReplyDeleteMany of my colleagues who are claiming CRC is a God send must be on a different planet. The number of ORA's coming through the door with post supervision and licence for only a week is causing the system to collapse. There's money to be made here. If there is then those at top will be racking it in. The likes of you and me will come out worst. That's the reality of this mess.
ReplyDeleteOur pockets will be bulging. There us nothing wrong with getting paid for doing a good job. Show us the money whilst we deliver a quality service. We're all contributing. Our manager has a microphone when he gives his team talks about KPIS needing to be met each day and work we can sell to others
ReplyDeleteTo 23:07 delusional and blind. Or maybe blinded by your own sense of greed. Yes you are in the right place. By the way don't forget their will be others who will also be selling. Don't wish to hard because in an open market their is always looser's!!!!
DeleteI think 23:07 is playing with a mouse. Its a lovely image though, call centre technology imported into the probation open plan sweatshop, with "manager" bellowing down the headset like a rowing eight coxswain:
Delete"Oi, Bloggs, get that OASys finished by 9:45 then I want sixteen Delius entries before 10:30. RARs are today's special focus. And you, Blogette, get those referrals for TTG out now!! Listen up, people, sell me twenty five alcohol interventions today and there's a bottle of fizz for the first past the post. And lets go!!!!"
We did promise to play nicely when Jim is having R&R...i dont want to play the Head Boy role and be telling you off in Head masters absence!
ReplyDeleteOur focus must be on the shit that is going on this next week , the 16th is D Day ...not suprising that Parliament will soon be in recess and again nobody will even give a shit as we sink into the mire further.
Keep the attacks on the privateers not your colleagues
The 16th is D Day??? mmmm i think not, they don't give a shit what we are trying to fight for.
ReplyDeleteJut wondering if the commentator/s of the past few days would like to go away.. Either not really probation people or ..and this is even more concerning, are probation people. either way go and play some where else please..there is intelligent life left in probation and here is one of the places that offered the possibility of debate.
ReplyDeleteIn case I miss something this is all about having a debate. This interaction shows me that there were some corrupted individuals who said yes sir let's privatise probation. These are the kind of people who would bend backwards for a few shillings and abit of a shine; driven by their own self interest and self greedy. The sad thing is they call themselves probation officers
DeleteDebate in some form it may be, perhaps Katie Hopkins would wish join in. The deliberate shift to actively employ people who did not hold the values of probation as invented, does indeed appear to have paid off
DeleteHold on ladies and gentlemen this is a blog where yes debates are had but also where a bit of humour is good. To make sweeping statements about bloggers is not nice you do not know their situations but if you want doom and gloom debates then have them. I,ve quites enjoyed the tongue in cheek comments of late.
DeleteThe people who were on the front end of recruiting the new breed of probation officer are....wait for it.....qualified in social work. They had to have a sound value base. It makes me wonder whatever happened to these core values of humanity, dignity, equality, justice and anti-oppressive practice. Where has all this gone? They came into the service for the same reason I came in, to contribute to society and to make a genuine difference. It makes me wonder what changed them and where have these values gone. Food for thought!!!
ReplyDeleteif this becomes law, and thousands react by walking out,of work, joined by the unemployed who are desperate to work, and any other sympathisers, what can the govt do to punish so many people? - sack, fine, prison, Probation supervision......?
Delete