Part of today's blog from Napo General Secretary:-
Hot after the Xmas break during which Napo got some respectable coverage in national media and local radio outlets, comes more dreadful news from Staffordshire and West Midlands and the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northampton and Rutland CRC’s. They have announced an intention to reduce 90 front line practitioner posts across the former, and substantial (but as yet unknown) reductions in Leicester at the latter.
This development has emerged over the last day and while we and local Napo branches seek to obtain more details, I can confirm that Mike McClelland and Chas Berry will be meeting with members at the earliest opportunity starting with a visit to Leicester next Wednesday.
The cuts announcement, whilst not unexpected given developments in other CRC’s, and amidst increasing speculation that many CRC’s may soon become financially unviable, are different from what we have seen elsewhere in that the intention seems to be to move to a compulsory redundancy situation without regard to the agreements undersigned by Ministers prior to TR.
As you might expect, we are in the process of pointing out that this scenario is totally unacceptable (as are the quantum job cuts) and we will support industrial action if that is what members decide they want us to organise. It already looks like an issue that smacks of a breach of the CRC contract and one which may find itself being put before the Minister for discussion. If so, we will be asking that the CRC’s and their owners be invited to explain this despicable manoeuvre to avoid their responsibilities.
I hope to have more details next week, but once again we are seeing the unravelling of the true TR agenda as profit rather than rehabilitation has become the imperative.
Foot in Mouth outbreak
Just before Xmas the tinsel really hit the fan in the West and Wales CRC’s as a prime example of how not to communicate with staff was issued inadvertently by Working Links. This sparked fury amongst members which Napo directed at senior management resulting in withdrawal and an apology.
Credit where it is due for acknowledging the error, but sadly the lessons do not appear to have been heeded higher up the food chain. Evidenced by a communique from WL Chief Executive Phil Andrew which greeted CRC staff returning to their desks on Monday with what, in my long memory, is right up there in one of the worst examples of corporate bulls**t that I have ever seen.
I don’t have the time or inclination to reproduce it all, but the ‘happy clappy’ missive starts by taking about how the company needs everyone (sic) in the 3 CRC’s to pull together to deliver the new intervention model, with not even a word about the 40% intended staff cuts. It gets worse as it ‘bigs up’ WL’s European and Global successes in their employment arm which I have already been asked is surely being subsidised by its rehabilitation activities? If not bad enough by this time, the icing on the mouldy cake was the one about their relationship with Saudi Arabia; I can only surmise that this was penned long before the mass public executions on New Year’s Day.
Incredible, if not excruciating.
MTCnovo a result for members
Some good news for once contained in a letter from Ian Poree the Contracts Chief at NOMS who, following intervention from Napo through Colin Allars confirmed that displaced staff from MTCnovo, who were undertaking reception and facilities duties in the departing NPS, would not be made redundant on their return from the Xmas break.
This followed an unholy row of the ‘not me Guv’ variety between NOMS and the CRC over who was responsible for their redeployment, but happily a solution was found. Unfortunately the bigger problems of estate closures and redeployment still need sorting.
Justice Alliance and Napo standing together once again
I felt very proud to have been invited to join a panel of speakers which included Jeremy Corbyn at the packed campaign rally against cuts to legal aid this week. Here I was able to update our friends on the shambolic post TR situation that has developed and to pledge Napo’s commitment to our joint causes. The introduction of the new (Michel Gove) replacement puppet for Chris Grayling was as ironic as it was hilarious.
There is some great coverage on twitter feeds and the JA website if you want to know more, but it was just the invigorating start that I needed to get the New Year underway. It was a privilege to be amongst so many decent hard working people who just as our members do, care about what’s happening to our criminal justice system.
--oo00oo--
This email to all members this afternoon:-
Dear Member
Your attention is drawn to the following parliamentary events arranged by the Trade Union Co-Ordinating Group which may be of interest:
- Trade Union Bill (2nd reading); Houses of Parliament : Meet Napo & other union members: 6.00 p.m Mon 11 Jan, Old Palace Yard (opposite St. Stephens Entrance) more details at: http://www.tucg.org.uk/
- Substance Misuse in Prisons: Weds 13 Jan 4.00 p.m Room W1 (off Westminster Hall) – with Nick Hardwick (HM Inspector of Prisons) and Steve Gillan (Gen Sec., Prison Officers Association). This is a special meeting convened by the Drugs, Alcohol and Justice Parliamentary Group.
I think Ian has it wrong there - Northampton have already made their cuts and come under Sodexo/Nacro rather than Ingeous. I hope there aren't going to be any more front line cuts anyway, It's upsetting enough saying goodbye to those who are already leaving.
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned that NACRO are involved in this.
DeleteWhy Anon at 20:18 - it was obvious that to make profit there would have to be staff cuts - Bidders were warned - parliament was warned - the bigger question is what happened at Nacro a once principled organisation who grew after their predecessor organisation NADPAS lost work and staff to the probation and after care services in 1967.
DeleteNacro is a dog that hasn't barked for years.
DeleteHow true, how true. NACRO, the silent, pathetic lap dog curled up in its guilt-lined basket staring at its cruel master through rheumy eyes just waiting for the promised treat that will never come.
Delete'what happened at Nacro a once principled organisation..'
DeleteThat's exactly what I meant. They must have known what was to come especially as they have been involved with the Work Programme
"a communique from WL Chief Executive Phil Andrew which greeted CRC staff returning to their desks on Monday with what, in my long memory, is right up there in one of the worst examples of corporate bulls**t that I have ever seen."
ReplyDeleteAny chance a kind colleague can forward this to me? Cheers.
Catherine holland's e mail to the dlnr and swm said ' ......some staff will be leaving , we want them to leave positively and thank them for their contributions '. Who knew redundancy could be positive !!!
ReplyDeletecan you send the whole thing?
Delete2029. Don't remember it but above quoted passage came after substantial corporate flannel about the exciting era we're entering into. The sort of cringey stuff most people would stop reading and delete halfway through. Can't help but think that was the intention and that it takes quite some effort and a particular mindset to compose such a thing. Somewhat like the pie in ' the help' minus the morality. Not really the attitude of a person I'd want to lead me anywhere.
DeletePlease send the whole thing
ReplyDeleteWhilst operational cuts are forecasted to completely destroy frontline CRC provision, it's also important to notice what's happening to back office functions. Will the remaining staff receive any HR, Finance, Training, IT etc support from employers such as WL?
ReplyDeleteJust checked napo website to be sure & yep, seems Ian the Klutz has confused Nottingham with Northampton in his blog. No proof reading, no amendment.
ReplyDeleteWe can all make mistakes. I'm sure he will amend it when it is brought to his attention.
DeleteDon't knock the General Secretary or the national official they are digging in for members. Lets encourage a return to central support please and collectively combat the disastrous toll this nasty parties policies will inflict on the innocent. The Napo command has stated they will organise industrial action. Lets help them help us and all take part nothing to lose but your jobs over a few well planned actions . Its a no brainer membership stand up !
DeleteA colleague told me that SWM CRC are reducing staff in IT, Estates and that Middle managers such as SPOs and SAAs were likely to be in the at risk category. The process being used looks to be the compulsory redundancy route. As you can imagine this news is very disappointing.
ReplyDeleteIs there any news on other job roles such as PO/PSO?
ReplyDeleteWell, the threatened cull in SWM CRC started today with the Staffordshire part being singled out for special treatment. Staffordshire/Stoke POs were summoned for a special meeting today to be told that our owners, RRP, will be making 10.2 PO posts redundant in Staffordshire/Stoke(out of a total of 26 posts). This translates as 7 posts for Stoke and 3.2 for Staffordshire. RRP will not countenance voluntary redundancy – these losses will be compulsory. The West Midlands bit of this CRC is not facing any such action although SPOs, senior managers and CAs are clearly facing the chop across all of the RRP area. All Staffordshire field team POs are to be scored – sickness and appraisals, and those selected will be told by the 20th Feb. This is so cruel given that all of these redundancies could be agreed on a voluntary basis but no, our paymasters want to 'weed out' those who have had sick leave and/or failed to achieve excellence in what is increasingly a subjective appraisal process. The gloves are now off and RRP has shown itself to be a no better than all the other sharks feeding off the remnants of the Probation Service
ReplyDelete