Friday 1 April 2016

Trouble at Napo

TO: NAPO MEMBERS

RESIGNATION

I have today written to Chris Winters and Yvonne Pattison, National Co-Chairs, advising them that I am resigning from the National Probation Negotiating Committee with immediate effect. Here is what I said:

Chris and Yvonne

I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from the Probation Negotiating Committee with immediate effect as I no longer have any confidence in the ability of the National Officers and Officials to manage the affairs of this union.

I trust that you will share this correspondence with all the other National Officers and Officials, and the other members of the Probation Negotiating Committee. As the Probation Negotiating Committee is a committee of the National Executive Committee I would also ask that this correspondence is shared at the next meeting of the NEC.

I shall be advising the members of London Branch of my resignation.

I have been a member of this National Committee for the past five years. Like some of my predecessors I too have been of the opinion that the Chair of the biggest branch in the union should be a member of this committee for it is this committee that deals with perhaps what is most important to us all ...our terms and conditions.

I have tried to represent not only the interests of my grade but also the interests of my branch. As you would expect, I have never been anything less than vocal when it comes to speaking up about matters that particularly affect London members.

However, I feel that recent events have made my position on a national committee untenable. I shall however continue to do the best I can for members of this branch in my capacity as Branch Chair until the end of my term of office in July.

Pat Waterman
Chair
London Branch NAPO

57 comments:

  1. When even the chair of our biggest Napo branch is saying that Napo is crap ...

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  2. This is the biggest vote of no confidence NAPO HQ could have. Who can blame her for losing confidence in the leadership after a catalogue of failings. Pat has always run NAPO London a lot better than NAPO HQ and by contrast they have snubbed her, starved her of funds, and tried to gag her. Big Pat strikes back

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  3. I'm surprised this information has not been suppressed like the outrageous JL affair with members being threatened if they talk !

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    1. Probation Officer1 April 2016 at 23:41

      I'm sure Napo would have tried, but Pat emailed this to all members. Credit to her, she keeps members informed and says it how it is.

      Napo is finished.

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  4. I agree with Pat but Napo lost its way when IL was voted in by its members. No I take that back it was the members that didn't vote that put him there because they were the majority. I didn't vote for him but have always tried to remain a supporter but he runs his own agenda and will do the blame game to get himself out of tight corners. The TR agreements were a disgraceful shambles and the measures our so called union agreed would have been in place even without the union because they formed part of the regs. I would support a vote of no confidence at AGM but will we be quorate!!!!

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  5. 2307 some of it is agreeable but come on what is the real story. PW is well known for tantrums and inappropriate over assertion and not that sharp when it comes down to the achievable over the wishful. Often gets it completely wrong and does not listen so never actually understands. We saw some of this at the last AGM and a lot of misguided international politics when NAPO time should have been spent on NAPO issues. Not to mention the lackey she has in tow what job does he actually do?

    There is no mystery here after having served 5 years on the NNC you have finished your term so there is no integrity issue. PW has sat with them for this long and has only just worked out she has no confidence in the OFFICERS and Officials ? Which officers exactly that mean the chairs the remaining group follow the chairs lead. PW was helpful in electing most of this group. What has soured the mix. PW has said nothing of the reasons of her unexpected departure. What is the real story then inside the NNC. Why no confidence now in the officials ? Which ones exactly, just tell why. The NNC has been distorted for a few years I am told. Is it the GS if not who and why , stop the speculation. It is a poor resignation anyway one they will welcome as walking out illustrates a lack of reasoning yet not telling the members why. As for the biggest union branch rubbish having all this have to be everywhere London has a poor reputation constantly at odds yet despite all the noise PW has kept the silence so collusion continues. We should all have an explanation as to what is going on and the toothless tiger NEC wont say a word . Nor was PW allowed to speak at NEC and walked out of that too. What next ?

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    1. Apart from the generalised no confidence in others, there are no actual reasons. Reasons help to make an explanation reasonable or not. At least IDS gave Cameron his reasons. How can this so called 'member-led' union be anything other than a soundbite if it is kept in the dark in what is also alleged to be an open and transparent union.

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    2. Confused Probation Officer2 April 2016 at 11:24

      Well we've never have a proper official explanation from Napo about why Jonathon Ledger left in disgrace with a £100k+ payout of our money. We only got wind of the truth because Lee Jasper leaked it to the public.

      And what about Tim Rendon's resignation, that's still a mystery as the reasons he gave were as vague as mist?

      And what about Tanya Bassett the press officer that doesnt seem to really exist?

      And what is Napo really doing about all the problems with TR, NPS and CRC's?

      And when is Ian Lawrence going to resign?

      Yes I do credit Pat Waterman for sharing with us as she always has. And yes she should spill the beans and tell us the truth. It is right what is being said, if she can't rise above Napo's failure for honesty and transparency then she may have well have kept her resignation to herself, picked up her toys and put them back in her pram (no offence Pat).

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    3. His name is Tom Rendon, not Tim.

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    4. Tom, Tim, Jim, doesn't matter either way now.

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    5. Our problem started when our previous Gen Sec placed himself in a situation where he was accused of sexual and racist harassment. What an embarrassment this union is

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  6. It's time remaining Napo members got a grip of their union the current situation is an absolute disgrace and public embarrassment ! IL's blog is an insult to members but still they do not question his leadership he wi sited our disgruntled workforce recently but no one spoke out despite feeling angry and more time was spent on the recruitment agenda

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    1. This is because Napo branch chairs (except for Pat Waterman) are too subservient to the Napo HQ command. They think that burying their heads in the sand will avert the death of Napo. I doubt there're many Napo members left to force them to do otherwise. I guess this is more reason for old Pat to start the ball rolling and either force a change at Napo HQ or cause it to fold before it sells Chivalry Road and runs off with the proceeds.

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    2. Generalisations don't help and no one is fooled by the failing mess of the general secretary. Cowardly style chest beating rhetoric all been said before but the failing chairs constantly one after the other . The poster is right there was a Tom and useless there was a Tom just as useless. Now we have the adorning pair of chairs either side of the General secretary happy to protect him whatever the failing. It is an election year perhaps PW will stand and lead a way one thing for sure she may well last longer than the collapsed Tom chair and we would hope hold the GS to account and get the NEC to function. More so protect the union from the sale of the HQ as renting a house to live is not the same as already owning no matter what rubbish has been spouted in the NAPO blogs. If renting some place was the way to go then Napo would never have bought in the first place. Will anyone give the errant chairs and new treasurer a lesson in basic economies of cost and markets perhaps they might realise the union may survive longer than sell out for the cash haul. What next the Nec will approve a VR deal for napo staff which many members never got. Once that happens there will be no bricks and mortar and no cash. Oh and just at the time when we will not need a new election. Lovely then !!!!

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  7. I don't think we have a branch chair... and most of the other roles are vacant too.

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    1. Our branch is also dysfunctional and seems to do as it pleases without any regard to the constitution another reason I cannot consider rejoining Napo

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    2. Same here, dysfunctional. I've not been with Napo since check off was removed. i was going to rejoin just in case I ever need representation against our crafty employers but it's just not worth the money. Napo has been useless against TR, bullied by Sodexo Links CRC, doesn't seem to be recognised by the NPS and is still propping up the Probation Institute.

      A quick google search and PCS is a half decent civil service / public sector Union and only charges £13.58 per month.

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    3. It is not the union NAPO or the general principled position of the aims and inclusions. It is in fact the nature of the people elected who have no idea what they should actually be doing for members. It would be nice to see their electoral statements again so we can asses the claims against the reality of the evidence in role. Elect the right people and the union napo will thrive.

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    4. It's very hard to make an impact in changing the status quo as the branch reps just seem to kowtow to IL and bury their heads in the sand lots of handwringing but no action

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  8. The Prospect Union have an excellent track record. £15 per month for POs. The PCS union do not want anything to do with Probation. I had an appalling experience with PCS and as a result resigned.

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    1. It's really hard to choose a decent union. Napo is dead to probation and I don't want to give my money to Unison. I've just checked out Prospect which looks promising as it mentions the public sector and is £15.74 per month for band 4 PO's. Anyone else got any suggestions?

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    2. I am interested in prospect it seems to have a good track record for representing their members no egos there either just a shame they don't have negotiating rights because those that do are doing a very bad job this years pay award is a prime example it's non existent and has just been brushed under the carpet by Napo think I will join

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    3. It also seems like our terms and conditions are I for s battering if Pats thrown in the towel

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    4. From her email it looks as if Pat wants nothing more to do with National Napo who she now believes has little or nothing to offer her or Napo members in London. She has never suffered fools or foolishness gladly and unfortunately there are quite a few of them and quite a bit of that around in Napo HQ who appear to be like rabbits in the headlights of a juggernaut. She will no doubt serve London branch well as she always has until the end of her term as branch chair in July and then pack her stuff and walk away from Napo joining a growing number of former Napo activists judging the current Napo leadership by their actions not their well rehearsed soundbites that they trot out.

      Dont get me wrong Pat is no saint and her sins against polite conduct failings and lapses are well known though often exaggerated but in my experience as someone she once represented she is the person you want on your negotiating team or representing you as she cuts through the waffle and bullshit and always does her best for Napo members. Napo HQ have never had the wherewithall to work with her.

      One thing is certain she will be leaving London branch as an active branch in safe hands as there is a diverse and very dedicated team in London with a wealth of experience brains strategy ideas creativity and some other excellent skills that easily rival if not beat anyone earning big bucks at Napo HQ.

      There will no doubt be some vacancies at the London AGM that can be one of the most exciting Napo meetings you could ever attend (drama, suspense, tears, walk outs, tantrums, rousing speeches etc etc). If someone wants to put themselves forward for a pretty thankless task as chair then there's nothing to stop them doing so but be warned you need a bloody thick teflon skin, the wisdom of Solomon, and a magic wand.

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  9. If sufficient numbers move to Prospect then negotiations can surely follow with regard to full representation. Why isn't anyone pursuing our pension rights. NPS employees are now Civil Servants but are precluded from the Civil Service pension. Seems that any terms and conditions that financially benefit us are not available. Thanks again NAPO!!

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    1. Prospect is not recognised for National Negotiations. The best it could hope to achieve would be local recognition and a seat with other union colleagues at the local negotiating table that does not deal with pay.
      Prospect certainly know how to present a glossy leaflet but they lack members therefor clout. Napo will rid itself of its lackluster leadership team shortly and then we can rebuild the union. Perhaps we should look to appoint a probation officer next time who actually has some integrity. Don't waste your time with prospect as it has a reputation as a right wing union. By the way some of the Napo HQ team have either applied to them for jobs or are in the process of doing so so be careful what you might wish for as you may end up with the same leaders over there.

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    2. Prospect seem to have a good track record fighting for their members in discrimination cases such as equal pay something that Napo has ignored for years I can't see Napo holding onto negotiating rights for much longer don't they need to have at least half of the organisations employees as members to qualify ? Wonder how many members they currently have following check off ?

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    3. The last thing napo needs is anynmore Probation officers who think they are able to do everything. Its choc full of probation officers now and look what they have managed NOTHING ! There is nothing wrong with being a PO but that don't make you a good trade unionist. The professional nonsense is what got us in this mess. It still unpicks us as a union and that is why all the PSOs are now happily doing all the work . No professional issues or complications that BLIND POs

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    4. 1233 Mr ledger was a probation officer and his chair and the next pair and the current pair. There you are !

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  10. Does anyone have a figure for the current membership?

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  11. Endless whining about the union exec but barely 3% of membership could be bothered getting to branch meetings over the last few years.

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    1. When J Ledger was elected GS in 2008 the turnout was 24% and it dropped to just under 20% when IL was elected. Attendance at branch meetings has been in sharp decline over recent years, so the 3% of local activism seems about right.

      It flies in the the face of the facts to put all the blame on the leadership. There were ballots during TR when the membership could have expressed its will and determination to make a stand. But in the event the will to resist never materialised.

      We now hear the tales of woe from around the country. It's not pleasant reading but it's what happens when you don't fight your corner to protect terms and conditions.

      The 'trouble at the top' is a sideshow of competing egos which makes no difference to anything. It is only realistic to view Napo as a professional association for the usual criminal justice digest and for various discounts available through its online portal. As for IL, I suspect he is unlikely to stand for a further term of office, as he is carrying the can for the demise of a union that was never strong and never united.

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    1. Napo's general secretary !!

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  13. Activism in 'local' branches has dropped because branches are not local anymore!!Branch meetings used to be in one city and the same venue but now they're all over the place so very difficult to attend regularly.Why can we not go back to local branches?

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    1. Its nothing to do with the branch mergers, attendance has been pitiful for at least the 12 years i've been around

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    2. It has got a lot to do with branch mergers. I used to go regularly to branch meetings but can not get to many now they are all over the place. My local branch used to be very active.

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  14. There is a phrase ... 'Lead by example' ... the elected leader will have integrity, commitment and the confidence of his membership - none of which applies to Ian Lawrence, the 2 Chairs or his Press Officer who remain silent and ineffective whilst the Union collapses around them. People have voiced dissatisfaction and are promoting another union over NAPO but the G.S continues in post collecting his vast pay cheque every month, with no victories only failure upon failure during his watch. If anyone is in any doubt about dynamic leadership and press exposure, look to the junior doctors high profile collective action, and the public support they have enjoyed. Individuals make a huge difference in motivating and bringing people together in collective action/protest. Ian Lawrence should step down and give the reins to someone who can deliver. He should not be allowed to sell off Chivalry Road before an independent, professional analysis has been completed with the results published; the members should be given the opportunity to vote on the issue democratically. The G.S should be concentrating his efforts on desperate staff about to loose their jobs, not selling off the family silver to ensure his own redundancy payment. Actions and results speak louder than words - it is there for all to see.

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    1. Yes well said its not just the GS its the idiocy of the PROBATION officer level top table 2 of them chairs who are in the plan to assist the sale of napo HQ. Its not theirs its ours. Yes there should be a ballot and yet we can have a local branch vote of no sale surely. Yes a national ballot might be a way but we have AGM coming soon and before a sale so we can have a battle there and hopefully at the NEC as challenge the reps foolish agreement with the disastrous top table plot.

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  15. I was a branch activist in SY during the TR fight and often felt our considerable efforts were ignored by those at Napo HQ I recall it seemed a struggle to get them to support our efforts and keep ahead of the game I agree that nationally members were apathetic but more could have been done if we had a strong leadership working harder to motivate action

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  16. And keeping reps in the loop and being honest from the outset.There was a real disconnect.What do we say about predicting future behaviour?Why did NAPO HQ think that all these companies would somehow behave in a different way because it was Probation?

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  17. With good participation Napo members can still turn the union around and learn from past mistakes. There are some things that Napo does very well indeed for instance the Probation Journal and the National Reps although in the case of the Reps they have suffered recently from the inept and unwelcome interference from those who were supposedly paid to support them and regrettably we lost some previously highly motivated and experienced people (in my view they were treated shoddily but acted honourably under difficult circumstances putting the union first). Thank goodness the meddling incompetents have so far left the journal alone and consequently it has gone from strength to strength and has a really good reputation that does Napo no harm at all. You only have to look at the quality of those involved to see the secret of its success.

    I for one am disappointed and sorry to see Pat leave the negotiating committee but I can understand that it is frustrating to be a member of a committee where there is a lot of talk and no action and where the committee has one view and the members another - Pat wouldn't sit quietly and collude with that. I am sure she has contributed as much as she could in her 5 years on that committee but there is only so much paint you can watch dry. I agree with Netnippers earlier comments about acting when it is most effective and not putting all the blame on leaders or your faith in committees largely populated by those seeking experience rather than offering something new or putting in the work. Every single person working in probation since the start of TR has contributed to the situation we find ourselves in either by doing nothing when called upon to stand up and be counted or simply caving in when things got tough. There are very few who can say hand on heart that they remained steadfast in opposition up to the point of no return. Many Napo members put more energy into trying to make things work in their own particular team than opposing TR and thereby laid the foundations of what has come about and some are still doing so by not working their proper hours and finding solutions to problems that they didn't make in the mistaken belief that they will escape the axe when it falls. It is too easy to put all the blame on the union leadership and seeing yourself as a victim of forces beyond your control but that is why we must join together and impress upon leaders what we want to happen and be proactive rather than reactive. Rebuild and strengthen the union from the bottom up and let the leaders know that if they don't shape up then they can ship out. Don't take the easy option of resigning from your union and turning your back on the plight of your colleagues. Be active and put in as much as you expect to take out when you need it. There are even more troubled times ahead and now is not the time to go it alone or trust in the the employers to treat you well.

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    1. Rubbish sell the buildings before getting rid of a glossy journal that comes in the post and most people bin. Its a money spin for someone and our office is full of the back copies piled high. Although there are less now as most in the office have left Napo and the journel is not relevant to most staff doing different roles these days. Grow up get rid of it lets have a copy that includes all the staff than the pretentious gloss. What are the membership numbers lets have something that reflects membership .

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    2. The journal operates at a profit and you are arguing to give it away. Duhhh. If you or others don't want a copy you can tell NAPO HQ and they won't send it but you can still access it online.

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    3. 07:41 Nothing glossy or pretentious about the journal. It's one of the best things about membership and those members who give up their time to produce it deserve better. The journal is an asset that represents what little remains of Napos credibility in claiming it speaks for the profession. Members contributions are invaluable. Sorry there aren't enough pictures for you.

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    4. The unions are not able to prevent our employers from treating us appallingly now Any strength we had was given away by the unions in those shoddy agreements they entered into with Grayling to allow him to proceed with star

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    5. Wrong its a loss maker and Napo subsidise it. Most psos dont see the relevance of it and as its so boring any pics might jazz it up a bit. Glossy waste of money.

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    6. 10:42 Read the accounts and after you have done so you may wish to note that in fact you are the one who is wrong.

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    7. 14:38 - it averages a shortfall of about £20,000 when you subtract royalties from cost of publication.

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    8. I thought it was more than that but thanks for the info 15:20. There you are 1438 you don't need to apologise its not that sensitive.

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  18. I think the leaders know very well that they "don't shape up", although I would use stronger terms such as "they have sold us fawn the river", yet unbelievably they are still in the power seats. I walked away, they are not on the side of the employer. I do blame the unions, they have been complicit all along the way. Time they were kicked into touch.

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  19. Yes I agree. They have sold us down the river. Now they are draining the last resources and leaving to hang out to dry

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  20. It's incredulous really that the national officers and officials are allowed to cling on to their jobs after such a poor show The ever decreasing membership is soon going to reach the point when Napo is no longer viable I can't understand why those remaining activists don't get together and take some control before all the union assets are gone

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  21. There's been simmering discontent between Napo London Branch and Napo HQ for some time, as evidenced by the following recent exchange seen on Facebook:-

    We were far too respectful in the TR campaign. I suggested quite early on that instead of or as well as strikes, we should have negatively gamed the performance on given days. We could have switched our "gold standard performance" as measured by the monitored target measures, off and on like a lightbulb which would have made the point, and scared the shit out of the bidders. ...and as a then SPO under the cosh of the f*ck*ng target culture for years, it would have been SOOooo satisfying to use all that gaming expertise to turn the tables. Tom Rendon mumbled a bit.

    I couldn't agree more. There is still some residual resentment in London regarding some of our ideas that were not acted upon. One idea was a campaign fundraiser/awareness raising event at Heaven Nightclub. The owner was prepared to let us use the venue for free only having to cover security costs. We had offers from celebs and speakers that would have packed the place out and generated huge media interest. We estimated that this would have not only covered costs but generated thousands that could have potentially gone towards an early JR. However the idea was never supported with hard cash upfront and was one of the reasons I resigned as Chair of the Campaigns Committee that seemed more focused on attending Tolpuddle (I did attend after the campaign ended and it was lovely) than tackling Grayling.

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    1. Napo central are control orientated. Saving money to keep pay than actually protect members with that money ergo protecting themselves. They have spin on everything yet no consistent position of organised opposition and collusion is an accidental by product. Yet they do it constantly as they are now becoming unpopular in all quarters. The employers have called time on NAPO personalities. Time we did the same and lets hope the Chairs leadership ends this summer.

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  22. For the recored, Jim, the suggestion about negatively gaming the performance was made from Cornwall. NOTHING TO DO WITH LONDON BRANCH. I love London branch to bits, but it doesn't all happen in London. Most of it happens in London, I discover, having entered the fray in politics, and I am continuously frustrated by a) the expense of travelling to London and b) trying to get London to pay any attention whatwoever to anywhere else. This is a NAPO and a National politics/economic issue

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    1. I hope you permission from London to say that ?

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