Here we have the most recent blog post from Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence:-
Working Links demise a victory but big test ahead
Last week saw some dramatic developments that culminated in the three Working Links Community Rehabilitation Companies going into Administration. The MoJ simultaneously announced the appointment of SEETEC to manage a recovery plan through the Kent Surrey and Sussex CRC until the end of its current contract. Napo and the Probation unions moved quickly to ensure that the necessary transfer orders and arrangements for the payment of wages were in place for ex-Working Links CRC employees.
There is no doubt that the resilience of Napo members and those of their sister unions throughout the dispute with Working Links, have been a major factor in seeing this dreadful employer out of the door. The refusal to be cowed by an endemic bullying culture driven directly by the directors of the Working Links Board, and the resistance to attempts to change your terms and conditions without agreement have been an inspiration. Their efforts were supported by a courageous group of managers in the former Devon, Dorset and Cornwall CRC. They recently helped to expose the scandalous state of operations in this area that were the subject of a most damning HM Inspectorate of Probation report last week.
Working Links have gone away, but there are a multitude of unanswered questions around accountability and responsibility which Napo intend to pursue through Parliament and the media over the coming weeks.
Union engagement with SEETEC and KSS CRC management
There was very little time to celebrate the departure of Working Links before an urgent meeting took place in Chippenham last Monday between the new provider’s senior management team and trade union representatives. The key issues included:
- The mechanics of the transfer of ex-Working Links employees into KSS CRC and the initial agenda around the ‘measures’ that will need to be the subject of negotiation with trades unions
- The initial mobilisation plans (over the first 90 days) to stabilise the delivery of Probation services in the areas that were formally under the remit of Working Links. More specific news will follow on this as soon as it becomes available
- The need to urgently consult with unions and stakeholders on the plans to speed up the handback of Offender Management work to NPS Wales and how this will impact on the current roles of some staff.
- The need to establish a longer-term transition plan under the existing and now varied, KSS CRC contract.
- The positive intentions of the holding company SEETEC in respect of the recruitment of staff and initiatives on professional standards and training.
- Arrangements to ensure that regular meaningful dialogue is established between unions and senior management with the aim of reaching agreement.
Union’s response
It is fair to say that while the vast majority of the meeting was positive, the unions had cause to take issue with some of the content of the letters that arrived through ex-Working Links employee’s doors last Saturday morning. These caused a number of union reps to have their weekends interrupted fielding calls from a substantial number of worried members.
Such was the pace of developments in respect of the transfer that the unions nationally had simply not had the opportunity to consider the contents of what SEETEC were sending out to their new employees. Whilst we obviously recognised the need to make initial contact with staff and welcomed the required assurances about payment of wages and the desire to engage with the trades unions, we made it clear that issues such as pay and variation of contracts must be the subject of negotiation under the terms of the Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement. I also need to make it clear to members that you not required to respond to these letters.
It is fair to say that while the vast majority of the meeting was positive, the unions had cause to take issue with some of the content of the letters that arrived through ex-Working Links employee’s doors last Saturday morning. These caused a number of union reps to have their weekends interrupted fielding calls from a substantial number of worried members.
Such was the pace of developments in respect of the transfer that the unions nationally had simply not had the opportunity to consider the contents of what SEETEC were sending out to their new employees. Whilst we obviously recognised the need to make initial contact with staff and welcomed the required assurances about payment of wages and the desire to engage with the trades unions, we made it clear that issues such as pay and variation of contracts must be the subject of negotiation under the terms of the Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement. I also need to make it clear to members that you not required to respond to these letters.
New suits but same message?
We said that were pleased that the departure of Working Links ended the long running dispute with that employer, and that unions were now ready to engage with positively with SEETEC/KSS CRC.
Nevertheless, we took a strong position on behalf of our members in saying that the level and quality of engagement with the new employer must seriously improve from what has gone before. The employer also agreed the importance of adequate facility time for union reps to have input into the transition plans
We also demanded early sight and discussion of the mobilisation plan and the unions agreed that it would be useful to spend time at an ‘away day’ event involving managers and union reps from the Kent Surrey and Sussex areas of the enlarged CRC.
The unions will shortly be submitting a joint pay claim covering all of our members in the KSS CRC.
Napo membership
Our membership team at Napo HQ have already made the necessary arrangements to change our databases and have contacted KSSC to ensure that your membership subscriptions will continue. Napo members formerly employed by Working Links need take no action.
Finally, Napo will issue as much news as we can on the above issues and other developments, but also look out for local news from your respective Napo Branch within KSS CRC (these remain unchanged).
Enquiries about this bulletin can be directed to info@napo.org.uk where a member of our team will respond at the earliest opportunity.
Remember: unity is strength, and the more members there are within the whole of KSS CRC the more effective we can be in taking your issues forward with the employer.
Ian Lawrence
General Secretary
Comment from yesterday:-
ReplyDelete"Working Links demise a victory..."
I beg to differ. Its no victory. Its the sad, inevitable conclusion to a shameful sequence of greed & dishonesty. Whilst some staff might have had the resilience to withstand bullying, there will be many who are scarred. Unnecessary victims of others' incompetence, disconnect with reality & delusional belief in their ability.
Grayling & the shameless architects of this debacle should be brought to book. How much has all this cost, over & above the known bungs, adjustments & favours? How much for the consultant lawyers dealing with the WL/Seetec transfer? How much more are KPMG or the other ambulance chasers picking up?
There'll be no victory until TR is abandoned, probation is on the mend & Grayling etc are publicly named & shamed for their wanton vandalism.
Well said, thank you.
DeleteWe all hear that TR2 is a repeat of the ideology claiming lessons learned. However this was not what is supported by the ridiculous Tory parasites stealing the public wealth for their own share holders conservatives PLC. TR2 only provides a new vehicle to hide and lose the identity further of what was and should be reinstated the gentle craft of offender rehabilitation. Lost forever in the rubbish of the NPS chain of command and serve culture. Dismantled in CRCs. The example of the South west dispute that has dogged the Working Links failure is evidence that some unity in strength has worked. It would have been a complete surprise had the recent HMIP report not called for an intervention. Moreover not identified the immutable lines crossed as these had already been well discussed in the SW constant flow of criticism of the failures of the Working Links management Model. The bulk of the feedback is on this blog and what it illustrates on review is the way in which the National general secretary was engaged by the local branches. Keeping attention on the crisis made it a national matter and the dual work with the central Napo leader and branch orchestrated activism does appear to have generated some success. I doubt the end of the working links is solely attributable to one two three branches but their solidarity in common cause against Working Links has had the punch required. This in conjunction with the NAPO Leader gave their efforts both credibility and central support that in effect magnified their confidence. The dividends are twofold the close union strategy has delivered a winning combination. This should help them continue the impasse should it be necessary in the new contract holders future. Secondly they have made the importance of working with the unions a critical need not something to be ignored as the credibility of the privateers should and must be made to respect the views of the workforce representatives. It has been a credit to the NAPO leadership Unison and the branches that will still need to be alert to the likely farce or corruptions that TR2 will certainly become.
DeleteName and address supplied :)
It's a victory all right over ideology and what can be done by branch and Napo working together. The direction of that branch delivered the first crash . What might have been had the rest of the workers stuck to a plan . Too many run for the money.
ReplyDeleteYou are mistaken in that you confabulate two issues here. One is that WL were a shit organisation & incompetent, hence they have fallen. The other is that a workforce has held its ground through the difficult times & might just be rewarded with improved conditions if they're lucky & the new owners don't shaft them. Those who couldn't stand firm for whatever reason should NOT be tarnished with the glib, abusive catch-all that they've "run for the money". That's more of a WL approach - "if you're not with us, you're against us." Some may have chosen to be paid but I suspect MOST will have had far more pressing reasons that they wouldn't want to share with someone who is quick to make sweeping judgements.
DeleteAnd I can't see the branch supporting your view either.
Too many did run for the money. Reasons don't seem to matter as had the offer not been there the jobs would have remained. The profits crcs stole was in the surrender of the jobs. No post meant salary profits. The work dumped on those who could not leave. You must be a leaver. Leavers and management facilitated the worst sort of treatments for remaining staff. Less pay more work a real Orwellian banquet for oinkers off the backs of the abused remainers.
DeleteThe solidarity argument cannot be proved now. Tarnished leavers ? Not clear this is a fair criticism but the reason offered is financial inducement nothing else obvious. Just a view.
DeleteThe people who cut and run haven't finished their pain yet. They have damaged their occupational pension entitlement along with their state pension which will be reduced. I'm sure they have taken this into account, and sought advice, before making this very serious decision
DeleteIf 9;09, 9;43 & 10;23 represent napo's position, its no wonder there aren't many members. How deeply unpleasant & divisive those views are.
DeleteIf we go back in time, the Sodexo clearances were undertaken primarily by tempting staff who were NOT union members to take a paid goodbye - for some it was more than they might have otherwise received - and in this way the Caterers more or less achieved their target numbers, which I believe was how they undermined/sidestepped the EVR.
Sadly the union HQs were silent. Branch reps had their hands tied and could only watch the disaster unravel - a disaster that had been set running by the unions' weak, unfathomable agreement (NOT put to members before signing, by the way) to NOMS/MoJ t&c's.
SW members & union officials have been exceptional in their efforts, and Napo HQ is basking in the reflected glory of SW's efforts.
It does no-one any good to bad mouth or use passive-aggressive abuse towards those who didn't do as you would wish them to. How do you negotiate working with your caseload? Actually, no. Don't answer. Don't want to know. Don't care. Good luck with Seetec.
Whatever your story is the angst is very much still raw. The views above are broad and yet posters reflect real world facts. I doubt anyone will be dupped by the seetec plundering. The sw branches will deal with them in the way they see appropriate. Speculating over why staff volunteered to leave on mass could not have been seen as solidarity no matter the objections. It is all past now too many capitulated and I do not know of the Napo position perhaps they might tell us.
DeleteWhy does this blog have all the distraction posts when quite clearly the unions have something to share celebrate and encourage others to join in the defeat of all the crcs.
DeleteDoes seem common on here.
It is equally reasonable to ask why does Napo and Unison pretend this blog does not exist AND make such poor use of Social Media?
DeleteNapo did not even support their own Forum that some of us tried to utilise for the campaign against Transforming Rehabilitation from early 2013?
http://www.napo2.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=210&p=1615#p1615
No need to slate unions right now. Celebrate the beggining of the end.
DeleteBlaming people who left for the state of things that forced them to leave in the first place is about the stupidest thing i've ever seen written on here.
DeleteBBC news today:
ReplyDelete"The government has agreed contracts worth £104m for outside help on Brexit, according to analysis for the BBC.
Since the EU referendum, Whitehall has hired companies to do consultancy work to prepare for the UK's EU exit.
Companies with the most valuable Brexit contracts include Boston Consulting Group, PWC and Deloitte, according to analysis firm Tussell.
Departments drawing on the advice of external specialists was "standard", a government spokesman said.
Six companies each received a contract worth £10m for "Cabinet Office Consultancy Support for EU Exit"."
Telegraph 2016:
"Whitehall spending on consultants nearly doubles to £1.3billion in three years... with 47 paid over £1,000 a day... The National Audit Office found that spending on consultants is increasing again after being cut back as a result of austerity measures imposed in 2010... The NAO said that most of the consultancy work went to six firms – Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Deloitte, KPMG, McKinsey, Ernst & Young and PA Consulting."
Public Accounts Committee 2010:
"Central government departments spend over £1 billion a year on consultants and interims, yet have a poor understanding of what value they obtain from this spending... It is unacceptable that some departments are so dependent on consultants. The Department for Transport, for example, spends £70 on consultants for every £100 it spends on its own staff."
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmpubacc/610/610.pdf
Nothing new, same old, same old , they never listen, never learn, just keep on plowing the same furrow, enriching the same names, feathering the nests of the priveleged few using the money provided by the struggling many.. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE GOVT LEANS LEFT OR RIGHT.
Tis about greed, bullying & a sense of entitlement; its which school, university, club or gene pool you belong to.
Off on a tangent I know, but coming soon to a probation service near you!
ReplyDeletePolice force guilty of discriminating against straight white man - https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/police-force-found-guilty-discriminating-15875244?utm_source=sharebar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sharebar
Interserve approaching the brink despite their attempts at restructuring the debt....collapse in the summer???
ReplyDeleteMarket Summary > Interserve plc
DeleteLON: IRV
15.64 GBX +5.38 (52.44%)
At close on Friday it seems there's been a rally on the share price... someone can smell blood!
Shares in struggling Interserve jumped more than 50 per cent after reports the contractor's lenders will sweeten the terms of a £500million rescue deal.
DeleteThe group, which is one of Britain's biggest Government outsourcers, is in talks to double the proportion of stock in the company that would be owned by its existing investors from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent, Sky News reported.
Interserve struck an agreement earlier this month that will see lenders take control by swapping debt for new stock, virtually wiping out current shareholders.
In an update to the stock market, Interserve said it would reveal the revised terms of the deal next week, but declined to comment further.
Shares closed up 52.4 per cent, or 5.38p, to 15.64p.
The announcement in November that it needed its second bailout in less than a year sparked fears it would collapse like its rival outsourcer, Carillion.
Interserve also said that its largest investor, Coltrane Asset Management, has proposed a rival restructuring plan that would include issuing £75million of new stock.
It said it was 'considering' Coltrane's proposal.
working for Interserve at the moment is challenging to say the least, excessive caseloads, two new cases per week for some individuals, no account of current workload as workload management tool has ceased operation. New allocation tool that takes in no account of current workload etc and if the team are short staffed the machine says it has to go to someone and hard luck if you are going off on leave or have already got a caseload at capacity. I feel the next inspection will be much worse than the last one and i'm not the only one who thinks this. Management of units has been restructured and means all that is familiar has been ripped from us again, new caseloads, higher caseloads, fragmented teams, short staffed teams, people working up to 6 hours per week overtime just to get everything done and finally staff working on re-conditioned laptops that are unreliable and mean everything takes twice as long to do.
DeleteSounds familiar. All areas have agreements on workloads Napo GS has made it clear on his blog and health and safety grounds. No point in complaint to space take the advice on offer only work to your contract and we'll being . It is not difficult after a while you get left alone.
DeleteThis week Interserve will publish full details of its favoured survival plan agreed with its lenders, bonding providers and Pension Trustee, and first outlined earlier this month.
DeleteWith the details, Interserve will also set the date for the critical general meeting that will decide its fate.
On Friday, Interserve revealed that alternative outline proposals had been received from US hedge fund and major shareholder, Coltrane Asset Management, which it said it would now consider.
In the event of failure to pass either plan lenders are reported by the Guardian to have placed Ernst & Young on alert to step in to manage the business if it was forced into administration.
The latest moves bring to a head the intense stand-off between Interserve’s shareholders and lenders.
Under the board’s favoured plan agreed with its lenders, existing shareholders will be almost wiped out.
Key lenders, including RBS, HSBC and BNP Paribas, have agreed to release £75m to fund working cash and take £480m new equity in the group to halve debt to £275m.
This will leave existing shareholders with just 2.5% of the enlarged shares, although they have option to raise their stakes in a later £480m open offer, likely to be discounted.
Under the counter-proposal tabled by Coltrane, which owns a 27% stake in Interserve, 65% of the firm would be handed to lenders in exchange for £436m of debt. A proposed £75m rights issue would take up 25% of the equity, leaving existing shareholders owning 10%.
In a statement, Interserve said: “The board confirms that it remains committed to achieving a consensual deleveraging plan.”
Rory Stewart The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice answering a written question dated 23 July 2018:
ReplyDeleteFigures on the average caseload of probation officers are not collected centrally. A probation worker’s workload is not based solely on the number of cases they are managing, but the level of supervision each case requires.
The Ministry of Justice publishes statistics showing the total caseload of the National Probation Service (NPS) and the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies. Figures for total probation caseload are published quarterly in the Offender Management Statistics Bulletin, England and Wales:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly.
(Citation: HC Deb, 4 September 2018, cW)
_________________________________________________________
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm
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