Saturday 8 August 2015

Napo, NEC and Elections

As regular readers will be aware, this blog can move along at a relentless pace and I'm often conscious that important stuff might get lost along the way. I've selected some recent contributions that I feel deserve a closer look, along the general theme of Napo's NEC and the impending elections for vice chair posts. I'd also like to remind members that I believe the closing date for motions for the AGM is August 20th. 

--oo00oo--  

In order to try and get a bit of a discussion going, I wonder if Barry could let us know what he's found out since he posted this on here? Jim Brown.

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I'm not sure what it is you are referring to....is this about the staffing budget. What's the question ? I might be able to help. Barry Adams. 

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I have been reliably informed that there was a surplus in the staffing budget due to leavers and the surplus was 'divvied up' amongst other staff. Should be simple to either confirm or deny. Jim Brown. 

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Jim, members will know now that the ballot papers are out, that I am a candidate for Vice Chair. I choose to blog here under my name as I recognise this is an important forum for debate and members have a right and should be encouraged to ask me questions. One or two members have emailed me and I have responded to them. Happy to engage with all here or by phone or email.

You ask about the staffing budget and how this was divided up? This came up at NEC early this year and was dealt with within the closed session. I was not at this meeting so my information comes from my talking to the co rep and other NEC member.

As it is told to me, that after some debate NEC instructed that the vacancy (after an employee left) should not be filled. At the same session a separate issue was the recommended of a 1% pay increase to Napo employees. Again after debate NEC instructed that any pay increase must be found from existing budgets.

So far so good. At the next NEC meeting (which I was at) NEC was informed an employee had left Napo and our remaining employees had been given a 1% raise. This was funded by the saving made when the employee left. The remainder of the salary saving was then to be used for staff development. Hope this helps. 
Barry Adams. 

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So they worked around the NEC then by the looks? Thank you for the candid reply. Who actually got the extra money then? Why exactly did they get it? Why did the NEC accept this because it appears they have both a 1% pay increase this that will continue on the pay into next year and beyond. Why don't we have legal action then and stronger representation then also? Did the treasurer agree this then? Who authorised the on year increases and current award?

--oo00oo--

By e-mail Hi Jim

Today I emailed Ian Lawrence, Dean Rogers and Chris Winters on behalf of our branch as the NEC rep. I didn’t make the April NEC but attended July and February. I checked the papers from April after reading your blog and the letter from the above named individuals. I received that briefing you published by email and had not noticed that it stated the NEC had voted in principle for the proposals that will see most of us worse off for the reduction in mileage expenses. Whilst the minutes state the negotiating committees report was accepted the minutes make no reference to any discussion or vote on NAPO’s recommendations to adopt their proposals. Neither is there any reference to NEC agreeing in principle. In my email today I challenged the authors of this briefing to evidence NEC had indeed agreed the proposal and to what extent could it be agreed in principle.

It would be good to invite any NEC reps who were at that April meeting to comment on this on your blog.

Happy for you to publish what I have highlighted. I hope it elicits some response from other NEC reps. Sadly the majority of members have no understanding of how NAPO leaders present information to NEC or how they evade certain issues. NEC do not hold NAPO to account because NAPO keep them disempowered by withholding information or misrepresenting facts to meet their own agenda. Most NEC reps don't even notice this fact. I hope Barry is elected. At least he doesn't have his eyes and ears closed or will be manipulated by their collusion and deception tactics.


--oo00oo--

The GS has another success to add to his unenviable list. Mileage in NPS expenses cut from 52p to 45p, no negotiation or advance warning so how authorised this - this on top of removed essential car user allowance, removal of parking for those who use the car to do the job daily, as well as no pay increase and all on Ian Lawrence watch. Can't help wondering what is he watching and why doesn't his press officer raise the profile of these events in the same way as the police or NHS workers do? 


NAPO subscription isn't cheap and people can ill afford to pay for it with nothing in return. I won't renew my membership at check off just to keep IL and his team in a job, there is no value for the money for NPS staff. We are being issued with instructions and detrimental blows weekly which are implemented without any resistance from NAPO, and staff too fearful of unemployment to dispute it. I've worked for the Probation Service for 25 years and to say morale is low would be an understatement ... I'd leave but have bills to pay and no training to do much else ... it's a travesty.

--oo00oo--

I have been fortunate to work closely with Mona, benefited from her wider experience in diversity and as National treasurer. Let me tell you a little something about Mona. Mona is a trade union activist and has been a Branch Executive, Branch treasurer and indeed National treasurer. No mean achievement for an ethnic minority woman, who has a young family and works part time. Mona was one of two NEC colleagues who supported me when Tom and Lisa threatened to call the police to have me evicted from NEC. When others remained silent watching this disgraceful display and the Chairs abuse of power, Mona stood up for all Napo members right to ask questions of our Officers with regard to the conduct of our previous general secretary. Mona may or may not respond to your blog, her choice. Let me suggest to you, just maybe the strike action was on a day that was not a working day for her. Barry Adams.

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Look the Napo forum censored out some commentary because the two chairs at the time were both inexperienced and badly advised. They continued to show a real lack of intelligence and absence of skills. They went on to suspend NEC reps for asking fair and appropriate questions. They were intoxicated by their own self righteousness. Rendon and Robinson then disagreed with the questions because they were pointed at the amount of the ledgergate pay off that was decided by them. They acted outside of their authority by the looks of things and as yet there has been no official inquiry to what they decided to do. The NEC cannot seem to decide anything that helps members but does support everything the top table tells them. Mr Adams Candidate is answering all questions I read on here yesterday so lets ask him. I think he staged a sit in and confronted the said Rendon and Robinson. Now the censorship has set in over at Napo so people post open commentary here and some of it is a bit harsh but its comment so we have be accepting or DON'T READ simple. 

--oo00oo--

What a load of crap. Posting questions to candidates so they can write the MODEL answers. Oh very dear. Poor NAPO :( 

Why is there even interest in the vice chair? Whoever gets it won't change anything and we still have a very poor GS and toothless NEC. The reality is, NAPO have no place in the CRC cos of the new masters don't won't to negotiate or compromise, what can the union do? Nothing from what I've seen in the sodexo talks...

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Oh dear. It seems you think the elections pointless, the organisation dysfunctional and trade unions powerless - I wonder why you're not standing?! This type of defeatist talk is self-fulfilling and I seriously have to question your motives. Fair play to Barry and Charron for putting their hat in the ring. Napo was the ONLY organisation to seriously challenge TR. We lost, but we live to fight another day and we have a future if members are prepared to get on board. Chas Berry.

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These postings were reproduced from the closed members only Facebook group Probation Against Privatisation and those doing so were posting in good faith to stimulate a bit of debate and interest around the elections. It is not an unusual thing for candidates to be given questions and to prepare answers in order to get to know what the candidates views are. Greater London Branch always endorse their own candidate however I have also seen them talking positively about all the Vice Chair candidates. There are constant calls on here for changes to the top table but when the chance comes then out come all the naysayers and prophets of doom saying nothing can be changed and fail to generate any support except for a handful of like minded individuals who have found a home on this site. 

As a suggestion try not to stifle discussion from the comfort of your sofa but perhaps try instead to make one or too constructive contributions that don't always include references to the Napo GS and the efforts of others to encourage more participation. How do we build a stronger union that the likes of Sodexo might take more notice of? I would suggest it is not by encouraging internal strife or are you perhaps working for them? 

Most people who have been around awhile know that things can change gradually (even Mr Brand now accepts that) and using the democratic processes within Napo is a good start. Making the NEC more accountable to their respective branches is always a good thing as it is sometimes easy for them to forget they share responsibility and are accountable to their branch and members. All this personal focus on Ian Lawrence is quite silly and a big red herring as he does his bit and is part of a team that include some very solid individuals who are not afraid to tell him what members think. Now tell me I'm talking a load of crap and dismiss everything I say or try to do out of hand - please do - or is it time for your afternoon nap?

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I don't feel the need to get into scripted questions, I like and respect David and his motive and aims are clear. I will answer any Members question any email any phone call. It's interesting to read what 2 of our candidates say....... To read what they write, about professional issues about diversity equality about NPS the civil service. Important stuff but is this what the election is about?

I want to talk about trade unionism about protecting jobs, about our members earning a living wage, to put a roof over our heads and food on the table and yes to protect the public.....if you work for NPS ....CRC .....Cafcas.....we are a trade union of members divers with different skill sets but united in our values. There is no denying there have been mistakes.......we lost direction.....we lost accountability.......and our leadership seems to have lost direction and sight of some important issues.

Members we must return to Trade Union values we must unite ....stand as one .....stand on common ground .....Jobs for our members ....a fair living wage for a fair days work, protecting the public. 
Barry Adams.

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It seems no self-respecting probation worker can ever finish a sentence without throwing in that the primary duty of probation is to protect the public. The public protection agenda was a political ruse to move the locus of probation from rehabilitation/welfare to risk assessment/control. It worked, because probation remains evangelical about its public protection mandate and assumed expertise in the face of human unpredictability. What probation actually does is classify and control and this is justified under public protection but there is scant evidence that it make any difference to what happens in real life. Prediction is the stuff of films like the Minority Report.

The first duty of probation is rehabilitation, the first duty of the police is the investigation of crime. The protection of the public, rates of reoffending and deterrence are by products, not the reason for being. If you make protection of the public the gold standard, then it makes you responsible for any harm that arises in situations where probation has a responsibility. It's a crazy flag to march under. It is not Napo's job to protect the public, its job is to protect members' interests.

66 comments:

  1. Right now - whatever Union Probation workers are or are not in - this will probably be one of the most testing times ever.

    Needing to make decisions again with seriously inadequate information.

    I wish them all well - the only suggestion I have is that ultimately I believe that they are better off as members of a Trade Union than not however, much they may disagree with the policies and representatives of that Union right now, one is more exposed as a non member.

    However, I wish all whatever they wish for themselves and thank them for continuing working in probation thus far - it was a career I found worthwhile rewarding but VERY frustrating and demanding - I am just sorry that we have never been able to enable the public, the media and politicians to really understand what we attempt and I suspect in that we are in a similar situation as local authority social workers.

    https://www.facebook.com/SaveProbation/posts/892290607485768

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  2. On a different matter;

    Presumably with Harry Fletcher in his camp IF Corbyn is elected as Labour leader his criminal justice spokesperson will be fully for unified and public probation?

    From Twitter:

    " Harry Fletcher ‏@hfletcher10 · 20h20 hours ago
    Momentum continues for corbyn4leader packed rallies, no to cuts and austerity. On leave but political journalists phone for advice every day!

    https://twitter.com/hfletcher10/status/629676141167661056 "

    From The Daily Telegraph 26 Jul 2015 : -

    " Jeremy Corbyn's team: the key figures backing the left-winger's leadership bid

    Meet Team Corbyn, the key advisers and supporters helping to manage the veteran MP's bid for the Labour leadership

    Harry Fletcher


    The third Fletcher in Team Corbyn - none of whom are related - Harry Fletcher was assistant general secretary of NAPO, the probation officers’ union, for more than two decades until 2013. He is now volunteering for the Corbyn campaign, helping him deal with the media and strategy.

    Fletcher first met Corbyn when he was a councillor in Haringey in the 1970s and worked with him on campaigns including for the release of the Birmingham Six. Corbyn has been a key supporter of many parliamentary bills drafted by Fletcher while at NAPO, and has sponsored two of them.

    Since stepping down from NAPO, Fletcher founded the Digital Trust, a not-for-profit group aiming to tackle digital abuse. He is also involved with a number of organisations to help victims of stalking and domestic violence.


    http://t.co/FzayqJMK0D "

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  3. Im in the NPS and quite concerned at the attitude of some of my colleagues who are happy to keep their heads down whilst our colleagues in CRS are royally shafted....they seem to think that this isnt coming for us next year and believe that the Gov will 'look after us'.....you couldnt make it up

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    1. Your colleagues are extremely shortsighted, 13:27. For, as far as I am aware, the year on year proposed reduction in the MOJ budget hasnt suddenly gone away, just cos a bit of the work has been privatised. With Osborne still sniffing around, looking for what else he can slash and burn, no one is 'safe'.....For starters, there's the planned closure of 95 odd magistrates' courts currently staffed by NPS......
      Deb

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    2. My NPS area has been told to make savings of £5 million so staffing must be affected..we have had briefings about the staff bill being the biggest expense etc.....BUT we are working flat out.....one PO colleague said he feels like a battery hen...dealing with his own high risk case load and being expected to take up the slack from 2 courts writing reports when they can't.....perhaps this is the breaking point at last. Does anyone else know how their area budget is being reduced?
      The unions should be collating this information for each area and formulating their strategy to deal with this as the level of cuts will be massive. I just think that NAPO and Unison should be all over this...they don't seem to have noticed.....

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    3. should have added, my area does not pay anyone to write reports as sessionals....we just get them added to our workloads....

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  4. Election wise we need a 'Corbyn' who's not afraid of rocking the boat and challenging the established version of events-look at the effect that he's having on the previously never voted young....NAPO has always been a weak union with few activists and it is this group that needs to connect with the core values of what unionism is.....

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  5. I don't understand why staff are facing redundancy. Nps are still paying sessional workers to do reports, so why were people sifted into crc only to be made redundant. Some people in nps clambering to do sessional reports whilst leaving others to do the backbone of the work. Some people are just immoral.

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    1. out of 4 POs in our CRC two are leaving to NPS, one is actively looking and another is a couple of yrs off retirement so sitting tight. Nobody wants to be in the CRC esp POs it is not what they trained for and people can spin it till the cows come home the CRC is not the place for a qualified PO it is a demotion and even tho it's on the same money the future is so uncertain it's best to jump ship.

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  6. It is adding to the myth Anon 16.47 that only the best were sifted into the NPS.Remember Jezza Wright claimed this without a shred of evidence to prove it.I speak as someone who was shafted into the CRC after over 30 years of frontline work.

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  7. It has to be a myth that there was any qualitative assessment of staff before sifting. If there was, then the area I took VR from, left a ticking time bomb in the guise of NPS chief. Even if she was trusted to run the proverbial stall, she'd fail the Whelk awareness course.

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  8. If the best are in the NPS then I would have gone to the NPS. Instead I, and many of the best POs in my CRC, chose the CRC and are loving it! Trust me, the best did not got to the NPS in my area.

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    1. With the greatest respect these sort of comments are pointless unless we know the area.

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    2. Libel, even a repeated libel, is an offence, Jim. I put the Whelk stall remark up and the individual concerned has\had never done anything to me but by the same token, everyone was astonished to hear that she'd been promoted when she is a foul mouthed idiot. Everyone just boggled when they heard the appointment. Certainly nowhere close to the calibre of any of the leaders of the 4 star trust of the last 20 years, or however long trust status existed. How do these people get on?. They must give blow jobs in lay bys, or something...

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    3. Probation Trusts began - I am almost certain in 2008 and 2009 and all were wound up in 2014 - 8 ran for 6 years and the other 27 for 5 years - approximately!

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    4. Steady on ! The type of people in leadership these days are not far from the persona they were looking for in the 39 - 45 period mid Europe. Low empathy obtuse and willing to follow any orders. They will not have conscience nor will they have any respect for others who do not side up without resistance to any proposal. They are self aware narcissist personnel just what the Tories have been cultivating.

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    5. Andrew, my friend, you're right, I was just comparing people with leadership qualities to the dross we've been lumbered with. The Trusts - I was just using as a comparator. To summarise, she doesn't hold a candle (other things, maybe) to her predecessors. Come on, you out there!. I can't be the only one who knows about the layby!.

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    6. I am a full time curmudgeon Anon at 00:23 - I note JB explains Bog as -

      " An attempt to help explain the mysteries and magic that are part and parcel of 'probation' "

      So as some will stumble here looking for info - it seems worthwhile to try & get the facts approximately correct.

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    7. @23:36 I suspect that comment will have a certain number of people chuckling in one area in particular -not saying which one though... The leics said, the better ;-)

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    8. Whoops, autocorrect fail on the above! Please don't infer anything :-/

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    9. All I've ever had in a lay by was a coffee and a Kit Kat. Back in the days of face-to-face prison visits. Still, there's someone whose (as yet unknown to the masses) name has gone down in history and blown her business's credibility Etc, etc.

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    10. Lot of innuendo in that !

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  9. Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3187777/Former-probation-officer-marrying-homeless-convict-HMP-tattooed-head-helping-change-ways-persuading-mark-removed.html

    A former probation officer is marrying a homeless convict with HMP tattooed on his head after she helped him turn his life around. Emma Pearce, 32, from St Austell, Cornwall, met 26-year-old Allan Blake, who has been to jail ten times, in their local pub just after he was released from prison in October 2011. Despite his branding and 23 convictions for 32 offences, she quickly fell in love and determined to change his life, moved him into her flat.

    People dubbed them the 'real life Lady and the Tramp' after Miss Pearce helped him overcome his problems and encouraged him to remove the inking which was preventing him from getting a job. Mr Blake, who was a former alcoholic and a history of self-harming, had the letters HMP (Her Majesty's Prison) inked on his forehead while drunk in a mistake he says he 'heavily regretted'. He had five sessions of laser surgery but the tattoo wouldn't come off so he drastically opted to have the inked skin cut from his forehead. With the tattoo removed he managed to get a job within just a few weeks as a carpet fitter and decorator.

    He said: 'I'd barely look in the mirror but after the surgery I was able to get a job and move on with my life. Before people would see the hideous tattoo and fear me, but for Emma it didn't bother her. 'I now look in the mirror and feel confident as I look more attractive and feel like I can be friendly rather than having to avoid people. 'I love Emma through and through, I know that if she hadn't changed my life I would probably be dead by now.'

    Meanwhile Miss Pearce gave up her job as a probation worker to become a part-time model after Mr Blake encouraged her to become more confident and show off her looks. Last year she entered her first beauty pageant and walked away with four titles at Miss UK Dreams, including an award for her generous charity work. After accepting her coveted titles Mr Blake, who had suffered from anxiety and was unable to speak in public, stood up in front of the crowd and asked her to marry him.

    The couple are yet to set a date but are looking to plan their wedding for 2018. She said: 'At first I thought Allan was a trouble maker and a bit of a rogue, but after I spoke to him I knew there was a beautiful decent person beneath who just needed to be loved. 'When I saw the tattoo on his forehead I knew he must've been a bit of a bad boy but I really fancied him and soon fell in love.

    'I got to know him and I realised he wasn't as bad as people said he was at all and was in fact really sweet - he would walk two miles in the rain to come and see me.'

    Miss Pearce said that although she knew he had been to jail nearly a dozen times for 'minor offences' she wasn't put off as she knew there was a 'loving person inside who needed guidance'.

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    1. What would we do without the Daily Mail & its heartwarming fairytales of love overcoming prejudice & hatred? Lady & the Tramp; Beauty & the Beast; Dave & Boris; Yvette & Ed; Nigel & Nigel.

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    2. At least he didn't do the tattoo himself, whilst using a mirror, to give a curious reversed lettering effect. Unlike some offenders I've known.

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  10. A piece about the Tories plans to destroy trade unionism in the public sector which is where 88% of trade unionists work. This needs remembering when members of unions are being advised that they must do what seems right for themselves as individuals. Because this is exactly what those opposed to trade unions would advocate.

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/09/tip-waiters-workers-rights-destroyed

    'But what of the lowly workers at Pizza Express? Recognise their services by putting a tip on your credit card and Pizza Express deducts an 8% handling charge, which it pockets tax free.'

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  11. When is NAPO conference this year and what's the schedule. We does IL stand for re-election as I wanna vote this yr?

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    1. Details of the Napo AGM and Conference at Eastbourne from Thursday 15th October to Saturday 17th are on the Napo website here: -

      https://www.napo.org.uk/Napo%20Courses%20%26%20Events/agm-2015

      Ian Lawrence was only elected in the last year or so - there must be at least three years to go before he comes up for re-election under the current rules.

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    2. The gen sec is not elected but appointed/employed being chosen after advert/interviews & views of interview panel (combo of National Officers & NEC reps from a volunteeer group). There is no limit to his/her tenure as GS to my knowledge as don't believe it's a fixed contract. So the GS only leaves when they want to move on or if (like us)they were made redundant/fell foul of disciplinary/capability type proceedings etc.

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    3. The gen sec is not elected but appointed/employed being chosen after advert/interviews & views of interview panel (combo of National Officers & NEC reps from a volunteeer group). There is no limit to his/her tenure as GS to my knowledge as don't believe it's a fixed contract. So the GS only leaves when they want to move on or if (like us)they were made redundant/fell foul of disciplinary/capability type proceedings etc.

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    4. Response to Anon at 19:21

      From the Napo Constitution: -


      " 12. Appointment of Employees
      (a) The NEC shall be responsible for the appointment of all
      employees and shall have the power to delegate under clause 12(b)
      the authority to appoint employees. All appointments shall be in
      accordance with the Association’s equal opportunities policy.
      (b) If it is necessary to appoint an official other than the General
      Secretary, the NEC shall convene a staffing sub-committee consisting
      of no less than four and no more than five members of the NEC,
      usually including the Chair and a Vice Chair. The General Secretary
      may be appointed to the staffing sub-committee ex-officio.


      (c) The General Secretary shall be elected by secret ballot of full
      members every five years. The election shall be held at a
      convenient time prior to the five year period elapsing. She or he
      shall be eligible for re-election.



      (d) Nominations to the election for the post of General Secretary
      shall be governed by procedures agreed from time to time by the
      NEC. Applicants for election will be considered by a staffing subcommittee
      of the NEC, consisting of no less than four and no more
      than five members of the NEC, usually including the Chair and a
      Vice-Chair and a co-opted member of the recognised trade union for
      Napo staff (in line with 12(f) below). Only applicants deemed
      ‘electable’ by the staffing sub-committee shall then go forward for
      nomination in writing by branches/sections or the NEC, with the
      consent of the nominee.


      (e) Should the General Secretary for any reason cease to hold
      the office to which she or he has been elected before the period of
      office expires, the NEC shall be empowered to fill the vacancy
      by:
      (i) The appointment of an acting General Secretary who may
      be an Assistant General Secretary. Such an appointment
      shall not be for longer than one year.
      (ii) Inviting nominations for the vacant post and conducting an
      election by secret ballot of all full members.
      (f) A staffing sub-committee appointed under clause 12(b) shall
      co-opt without power to vote an employee who is a member of
      the recognised trade union if requested to do so by the representative

      https://www.napo.org.uk/sites/default/files/Annual%20Report%20%2B%20Constitution%202013-2014.pdf "

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    5. Oops! As anon 19.21 (& 18.52) I stand corrected Andrew. I forgot about sections 12 c and 12 d! Not sure how we re-advertise..JL seemed to be a permanent fixture but now I cast my mind back there was an election in the far past when Harry F and assorted others stood against Jonathan but he was voted back in. It is also fair to say there were other candidates who stood at time Lisa and Tom stood when they were voted in after Tom W and other candidates who stood against Tom when he did the right thing and stood as a solo csndidate for Chair after Lisa stood down and he was re-elected. People might say there was a poor chouce but there was a choice and (has been said before)if all the grumblers on here are so expert they could gave stood before and put themselves forward in the current elections too. I'm not saying we have no right to hold Officers to account but it needs to be measured against the fact others have bothered to take on a difficult role. Whats that story about mice and putting bell on cat? Easy to point finger & find fault. Not so easy to find remedy

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    6. That is not as well thought through as you might think . Some of the candidates that were in the elections were standing as vote drawing candidates to ensure a tactical split vote. The joint pairing of candidate has always increased joint election prospects. The other candidates would have been current at the time or at least believed they would have made the difference . Definitely some of those prospects would have taken the union in another direction. For example the P.I. would have been attacked properly. Rendon was so pro he got on it as a director and is still there from what has been said on here. Certainly others might well have understood the critical need for JR . Or been more able to confront and manage Lawro with his cuddly tough guy, passive aggressive routines. Most of all the need to ensure other unions were in the same game on the same corner. Even work productively and recognise the readership of JBs blog. Mr Rendon buckled everywhere and tried to join a CRC before they were formed. Not at least having been and SPO. Nothing like ambition above talent yet there he was, and here we are! Winner and loser all in a year or two. We are paying for the judgements now . No one putting forward in the current elections are going to be able to do a thing about anything. Do we want Mr POearson back he had a chance and did Zero but apologist for the mess he didn't reveal. Do we need the Treasurer Back Mr Stockeld running the budget again after his six years time has expired. Yet in a quirk of a new title can re stand. Come on it time rid us of that appalling record. Are the other candidates offering anything radical? No more of the same misguided nonsense only Mr Berry wants the direct debits signed up not to worry if your losing your job though! Time has well gone and the misdirection the Union was set from the GS and sidekick naïve chair through his tenure taking Napo into a fortune bank breaking employment tribunal. After which the twin chairs spend, spend, spend policy they forked out another fortune your defence campaigns representation and legal defence monies than manage the appropriate disciplinary procedures. Not the same even basis the other party faced. Balanced ? Not a chance favouritism plain and simple.

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    7. To anon 20.23 unless you were a past candidate who chose to stand on the following basis yourself I cannot see how you can say definitively that candidates ever stood "to ensure a tactical split vote". It might be your opinion but (unless you were such a candidate)you cannot state it as fact. However rather than pick endlessly over the past, I think we need to focus on the current mess. No candidate for National Office inspires me. Ideally Napo and Unison should have a Chair or Co-Chairs who6 has a professional passion for & understanding of the job and the political context in which it has to operate (which they can communicate without recourse to verse please),can motivate and inspire members and Union staff whilst also holding them to account for their behaviour. I do not think we have such colleagues in role sadly which makes it all the more important that (rather than wring hands,ridicule etc)we take what action we can locally to support members.

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    8. I imagine repeating your post 1:16 you might have been tired or you want to reinforce the issues. Having kept a close interest in what my union does for me and what I can do for it. I was shocked at the outurn of public events and scandal. It was interesting to see the dillemas opening up before us. Much of what is said is common knowledge within this forum and a little opinion. Picking up on issues from the past helps to identify where it all went wrong. How we might learn from that. Tactictal voting is rife in Napo as in any election. If you want a candidate to win then you would advise voters to vote only that candidate. Although there may be more candidates on the ballot. Voting second and third choices will only cast a vote away from the first choice. If you understand this you might appreciate the subtle nuance of the way to get what was wanted. Your point on unions co chairing is not realistic unison have no density in number in our ranks . They might like the influence but not take the responsibility. You lose the plot when you misdirect readers with the professional folly. The government are talking a cost required minimum service . You do not need professionals for that. The idea of a union is that it represents all members , workers. The argument of professional grade as the key issue is what is you advocate and it has divided the workforce. Sadly before we started that is exactly what fractured napo. Disinterested PSO grade many non striking because they felt as you state it was professionals in dispute. If you think a charismatic lead could have inspired all staff they would never have any chance on your position and that is pretty much how it felt out here. You say that person is not within role. I think that is because you are looking for a very small narrow margin. It appears to me at least that you want not what is best for the collective membership but some pseudo nonsense about probation officers. The workers as ONE in a battle against one enemy we needed to be united. The battle over the professional argument is exactly what lost the unification of membership and this will finally defeat Napo. The chairs all POs failed to realise this. Of course we all want to help and not look back but it is naïve to think we can do anything locally as management can effectively ignore NAPO . Look at sodexo! The union nationally do not appear to have any common ground with other unions nor idea what to do. I think the whole stewards inquiry will come and looking back is all there will be left.

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    9. Made my post too late at night hence hit twice on error. Disc on here not great as musinderstandings too easy. I don't equate "professional" as meaning simply PO role & never meant Co chair with Unison-was simply broadening it out to say Unison leaders lack inspiration/leadership etc too.Sitting waiting for National lead & advice all the time means often a long wait! What I do find irritating on this blog is those who spend as much time making assumptions as to what other posters think/believe etc.I'm not posting again

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  12. So the union will shell out another 140k with us getting zero in return before something can be done? Good business! I'm signing out

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    1. What do you mean 140 K for what. 1555 what will you vote for pls. If Ian Lawrence is so unpopular why ? He works hard and is on holiday. He is entitled to a break. He works for us and doies all we can expect he is in the middle of difficult credible negotiations and has to be relaxed and appear relaxed. He gets paid for the work at a rate we set in our terms so what is all the arguing for. I like Ian Lawrence he is a powerful speaker great credit and intelligence for the job. he fights for probation officers whenever I have heard him quoted. If Ian is in a vote I would vote for him again because he is the man taking on a difficult role and with his team who are all professional probation officers. They are all great trade union managers as well so we are in very safe tactical hands I think. Also I reckon Ian is going to surprise us all with a massive secret plan at the AGM. I am hoping to attend depends on a few home issues but my intention is go and speak up for the top officers we have. If we can support them we can see our way through this because I think Ian has a way through we have yet to see . I am certainly keeping my faith and voting for Ian Lawrence.

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    2. Are you serious? Working hard and working smart are too different things. He may work hard but what has he achieved? Has he worked smart? I will leave that for the forum to decide... As for taking holiday, I've no beef with that. I do have an issue with how the we pay a lot and still face redundancy.

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    3. 16.55.......deluded.

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    4. Well I was being supportive to Ian because he must have a plan. He has to have been working inside to understand how to beat them on the outside. I am sure he says a lot of things that he is going to deliver on. I am really keen to see how we won the JR for example. I do not really care about the fact we had to pay the costs for Mr grayling because Ian sayts we had victory so I am hoping this is the same as the CRC despite the threat to lose 600 I think Ian is waiting to tell us only 600 is still a victoiry and somehow we are all going to be ok? Ian has also started to renegotiate our redundancy offer to sevcerence pay and even if we get it in the Sodexo the othe other CRCs will not follow suit because they will have to deal with Ian and they wont want to do that. I do not think we have to be critical of Ian I am sure he wants what we want Great national representatives relatively good access to legal advise accurate records on accountability, motions that can be followed up a full membership and happy working HQ. I think ian has achieved many of the targets so far. We also want to ensure NAPO has a position in future negotitions and for us to be taken seriously and respected for being professional. There has to be the continued delivery of the gentle and passive messaging to ensure one day we will be listed to through Ian our great spokesperson who as I say is doing a tremendous job of unifying the memberships in NPS and CRCs keeping probation at the forefront of the political agenda. Ian is speaking on something at Westminster and we should be proud he is able to diversify and speak on issues he has no experience in qualification for or genuine legitimacy for such a task. However because he says he can do that it is good enough for me so all our members will agree I hope. So don't lose faith support Ian Lawrence like he supports all of you.

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  13. I've had just about enough of this shit. Unison/Napo/whoever have thrown CRC staff on the scrap heap, their focus in terms of funded work is fixed on NPS. Where's the legal advice for CRC staff? Where's the guidance? Where's the support? It seems that following a fatal mistake in 2013/14, when contracts & terms were agreed, the CRC position is irrecoverable - but they can't bring themselves to say it. The circumstances for CRC staff from July through to October are not recent, we've known the timescale since the 7 months post share sale Scam was agreed. So why have most of the Union gone on holiday at this precise time? Just when their services & support are most needed... Arsejoles!!

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  14. I agree 21:53, I can't believe how we have been treated. Palmed off into a crc to face redundancy. The writing was on the wall and not even a test case through the court. How many napo reps went into the crc.

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  15. Anonymous10 August 2015 at 00:29. Appreciate some may have felt shafted in to CRC. Previous bloggers say that they chose to go in to CRC and that CRC is good

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  16. Tee hee hee - irony for breakfast. Better than cornflakes, but porridge still has the edge!

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  17. 23.11 you are a quote machine. Your either on a wind up or IL himself. Thank you though as your recent comments did make me laugh

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    1. Of course, 23.11 and an earlier posting is being facetious and clownish and amusing as well.

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    2. Thank 9:14 as you are insightful and I am flattered but I must resist there is any suggestion that I am anything other than sincere in my comments.

      Let me have another go at reminding readers exactly what Ian Lawrence has achieved for us al. Why we should in fact be very grateful, as I am. Blind faith, is something none of us practioners operate on. We form opinions and beliefs based on our sound judgement derived from assessment. We use verbal - non- verbal skills . Listening and teasing through attitudinal questions. I have applied these skills to Ian Lawrence . In the voting for his GS role I read the statements and sounding out colleagues. I realise only a small percentage of members voted at all for Ian Lawrence. I think this is because all of us knew he was safe so did not need to bother. The other candidate was all but blocked and obstructed anyway from campaigning , he actually wanted to go to branch meetings to sell himself. Well that was ring-fenced for Ian only because he was a staff member already. The way the officers interpreted the rules made it clear anyway but I say we got what we wanted.

      Ian has proven all the things many on this blog predicted. It is an ideological government we have no chance whatever the leadership.

      We cannot fund a fight on our own and win.

      We have to get Unison and the other unions to joins us in a solidarity programme. None of these things actually happened because Ian had rubbish chairs from the membership. That collapsible Rendon fellah . The Mrs Robinson woman who ran away after getting caught up in some other difficulties as extreme as stopping a train. Neither of them having had a proper opportunity to deliver because they had difficulties.

      So Ian was left alone and covering his best for them as they were nothing but pressure for him. One of them was always off sick for long periods and it was not made clear to the members. Ian was blighted. He had to deal with the massive spending the two chairs weighed off the last general secretary with a massive cost to Ians planned budget Losing this money on top of Court costs and running the case as a legacy from the former chair. This massive failure to understand what he was taking Napo into virtually made Ians early tenure impossible. He set the trend to destroy our work. Ian in role with the old chair from the North in collaboration with the new pair. Poor Ian had to plot his way through. Despite the money spending bonanza Ian had to spend a bit more. Lucky enough, his long time old friend from the PCS was the best candidate on the day for the role of Assistant general secretary. I do not know who else was in the running but it is a testament to equal opportunities that Ian gets his old best friend in. The process run by the officers would certainly have applied PO based analysis skills and there can be no suggestion of cronyism or nepotism because POs would not act in this way. (Continues )

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    3. Losing Harry was a further set back not Ian's fault or decision how could it be ? Still It worked out well because they appointed a PO and the former chairs old best friend as the replacement using those anti crony anti nepotism skills to ensure we got the best candidate for our PR. I am amazed at the skills that must have been displayed for such a role in the interview. The Panel would have to have had some idea of the scale of the task when considering the candidates calibre and ability. I have to say the silence tactic that she has employed since being in role has really confused the TR Grayling agenda and I think has frightened them and slowed down their pace because they are waiting to see what she will do and might say.

      The other officers and officials are all silent too. They must be running similar tactics and this has been accepted by the membership so we wait and see. I am confident though that Ian has now shaken all the issues off and is set poised from his holidays to take the battle on with sodexo and win our anti redundancy position sort the protections of jobs as the primary argument. Secondary Reinstatements of the EVR and management of change protocol and the collective bargaining mechanism as an honourable position for the employer. That's what he will do and tertiary aims are to re invest in recruitment and bring all the members back and see NAPO financial reserve that dropped from 1.5 million to 750k climb back up as he negotiates a 5% pay increase across the board. Ian will do all this in his stride because he has the team he chose to do all that we would expect of him and would want him to be doing on his watch . Ian is the leader I follow because I voted for him.
      Now in reply to you point of being facetious? You decide !

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    4. I think your comments are facetious. You know some facts of Napo's shenanigans and you like to speculate. You need to check your facts on Mrs Robinson who did indeed stop a train - and subsequently receive a standing ovation at an AGM for her actions. It was a different train that derailed her.

      Knowing what you know you must be facetious and somewhat masochistic for maintaining undying support for the man you voted for. It reminded me of how Mark Antony kept going on about how Brutus was a reasonable man.
















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    5. Well yes of course they are comments that are meant to invoke thought and some comedy they are also irrelevant now as all the wishful thinking in the world wont put Ian Lawrence and the Napo defence for its members back on the rails. While on the metaphors, it was that sort of inappropriate aggressive red mist of stopping trains that led to building of Ego then crash and burn failings. The footballers blog from wales never gave their account at the standing ovation of Mrs Robison. Their account disputes the confrontation and conduct. Some of it quite a different account and dispute according to the fans blog

      http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23781

      I doubt had everyone known this they would quite rush to their feet. Anyway the collapse is possible and whether Napo can survive after the combined chairs heaped their failings in the mix . I would hope reader can have a small chuckle at what we all face given how depressing it has become and so unfair for everyone.
      I would lay off the ancient references as your mistake to suggest I have undying support for Ian Lawrence would not be facetious which of course it is a facetious commentary.

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  18. I am Anonymous August 2015 at 08:19. At time of shift , there were CRC staff who spoke of the opportunities to be creative in CRC, not having to do OASys( or a small number of) and limited parole etc reports. Puffed up their chests to say that they chose to go to CRC. in the tick box exercise. Not all CRC but some people in CRC saying these things

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    1. I have to say I am one who relished not having to do Oasys when sifted to CRC, how wrong I was. NPS do little in my area, RSR risk assessment is what they do and its shameful. CRC carrying burden of risk assessments and indeed risk

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    2. I don't necessarily expect people to believe me, but I chose to go to the CRC and am still sure I made the right choice. Most of my colleagues agree with me, as far as I know - there were at least two POs who were sifted into the NPS but elected to move. I didn't make my choice because I believe in the great TR project but because I didn't want to be a part of the civil service machinery and constantly at the whim of idiotic ministers.

      Shame on those who still appear to think that only the NPS is 'real probation work'. My caseload now is more challenging than it ever was when I was in a high risk team - complex DV and mental health problems, with so much less resource input from other agencies.

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  19. 11.06 and 11.07 you crack me up. I know your not being serious. So so funny :)

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    1. Thank you ! Common sense prevails somewhere then..
      It is a real shame what our people are going through. Yet the reasons why remain shielded from them. There were many a bad decision obviously reckless now . with hindsight. Although some predicted it and were silenced.

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  20. FROM TWITTER: -

    "

    PBNI
    ‏@PBNINews RT @VGeiran: New #probation resettlement scheme for offenders in N Irl: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-resettlement-scheme-for-offenders-31437730.html?utm_content=buffer10779&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer … @niacro_ via @BelTel


    https://twitter.com/PBNINews/status/630732016451997696

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  21. Off the subject slightly but so important qn issue. Any news on the sodexo crcs wonderfully generous severance offer and the staffs response as closing was 12 noon today. Am appalled probation has come to this demise.....oh and I and all colleagues in the unit where I currently work were definitely shafted into CRC....names pulled out of a hat as a,fair and equal selection process ....despite graylings protestations that this selection process ever happened......it most certainly did

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  22. A very talented woman who is well admired for her sheer brilliance in all things legal and employment law says COUNTY CLAIMS COURT COUNTY CLAIMS COURT COUNTY CLAIMS COURT. Get the message so no deals list all the issues we have them lets take an action or loads anyone pulled out of a hat and sacked has a claim there are loads of examples . Where the hell is napo on this please ?

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  23. Ian is on holiday living it up. Napo has been an absentee landlord for years

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  24. In spite of numerous attempts to elicit advice & guidance from various places, I've resorted to enquiring about vol.severance. We'll see what happens next. Local word is that CRC managers have already chosen their staff, severance will be selective, compulsory thru the door will be saved for those least in favour. Our CEO stated loud & clear at local briefings that if you express interest in severance you are making it clear you do not want to be a Sodexo employee so prepare yourself for some pain.

    Hey there, CRC shitheads & collaborators: you know who you are; wait until we come for you. What goes around comes around... and we won't be showing any compassion when its our turn, so YOU had better stock up on painkillers. No amount of cash in the bank will protect you from what lies ahead.

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  25. Shut up 22.39. This is a peaceful forum not one for making threats. Pipe down and have some dignity. If it's your time, it's your time

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    1. Lie back, think of England, wash the sheets & pretend it never happened?

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    2. 22:48 - do I hear the spirit of Sir Fix It? "Now then, now then. Shut up. Its your turn. Pipe down. Don't say a word." God help us if thats the future we're looking forward to.

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  26. 23:48 when it's over its over. That's all that's being said. At least you have your health or family - I say!

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  27. 22:39 what you have in mind? Bouncing back from redundancy can only make you stronger so get a grip, play the hand your dealt with, and strut. If you stay, then play the hand your dealt with and strut. Don't take it too seriously.

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