Thursday 28 August 2014

Napo Special

I notice that Napo have just published the Notice of Motions for the AGM in Scarborough and apart from the unsurprising number that relate to the TR omnishambles, there's absolutely nothing that will frighten the horses. Nothing that seeks to deal with Napo's internal dysfunctional management and leadership, and nothing about there being no Judicial Review. The General Secretary must be very pleased with himself indeed, but of course there's plenty of time for amendments up until 25th September.

This motion caught my eye, but I'm mystified by 'Probation Service - A Future that Works'. Is it a book, a report, a campaign or an aspiration?
Since probation was split on 1 June 2014 the service has been in utter chaos. Napo knows things will get worse as long as the service remains split, even if we are successful in fighting off proposed privatisation ahead of the General Election. It is therefore important that, whilst continuing to oppose privatisation and pointing out what is wrong with the current structures, we now present strong arguments for a better alternative model.

Napo believes that there is an alternative model: “Probation Service – A future that works” and resolves to take the following actions:
• to actively promote “Probation Service – A future that works”. This includes to politicians, the media, the public, other unions and stakeholders (including potential bidders), up to, including and beyond the General Election in May 2015;
• continue to highlight the crisis that has arisen from the split and Grayling’s pursuit of the ‘Transforming Rehabilitation Agenda’, including risks to the safety of staff, the public and taxpayers’ resources; 
• continue to work with TUC ‘Speak up for Justice’ to raise awareness of the meltdown of the justice system and to promote a workable, affordable alternative; 
• continue to oppose the threatened sale of CRC contracts, whilst continuing to call for an independent review and evidence based change (incorporating analysis of pilots) as outlined in the TUC report ‘Justice For Sale – the privatisation of offender management services’.
Proposer: Chris Pearson
Seconder: Megan Elliott
The Lobby of Parliament is less than a week away and I see we have Mike Rayfield to thank via Facebook for the running order:-
Room 14 John McDonnell Chair Sadiq Khan 2.10 Katie Lomas 2.20 David Chantler 2.25 Sarah Champion 2.30 Mike Rayfield 2.35 Ian Lawrence 2.40 Contributions from the floor From 2.50
Room 11 Elfyn Llwyd Chair Jenny Chapman 2.10 Tracey Worth 2.20 Joe Kuipers 2.25 Ian Lavery 2.30 Jamie Overland 2.35 Tania Bassett 2.40 Contributions from the floor From 2.50

17 comments:

  1. Blimey we are in trouble now. When you come up with a motion titled 'Probation Service - A Future that Works' that says it all. What the F was wrong with ‘Probation Service - A past that worked’? we all know where this is going, absolutely nowhere. I would have preferred Chris and Megan just to be upfront and be honest for a change. They have certainly let the membership down, ‘titanic’ come to mind.

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    1. who will move "next business" to this and other rubbish (including planned speakers/distractions)? I can see the steering committee being busy.

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  2. I agree,I have raised locally an interest in training as a napo rep, but I can honestly say in the 28 years I have been in probation and a napo member I have never been so disillusioned with the union. This blog and the support derived from hearing from colleagues is the only vehicle for honest information sharing. I am not attending napo conference this year,it seems like a mechanical superficial process and not one I'd want to be involved in.

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  3. If this is it why bother with a conference at all! The union is shot now if all the discussion(!) Will be about this bollox that is TR , very disappointed.

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  4. Has Cameron appointed Selous to the Grayling team for his audacity?

    https://twitter.com/Andrew_S_Hatton/status/505024191545225216

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  5. You've got to be in it to win it. Come to conference. Shout a lot.

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  6. PS However crap they are, they are there. Doing their (arguably not very impressive) best. I didnt stand for office, and they did, so there they are. . Lets go to conference and make some points. Probaiton is not defeated yet, so dont throw in the towel.

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  7. Crikey. NAPO conference upcoming, the fight for Probation in a dark hour, and you can see the tumbleweed blowing through this blog, NAPO's homepages too. Jeez. What to do? I am still up for doing whatever it is.

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  8. Thanks for this Jim. I have looked up TUC and Justice: looks good. WHY THE F isnt NAPO communicating this to us? http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20514 https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Criminal%20Justice%20Report.pdf Oh silly me, I can see why. Unison. For heavens sake WORK TOGETHER ON THIS YOU NUMPTIES

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  9. To Anon 23:16 what are you on about? Jim has copied the proposed motion put forward by current Napo Chair Chris snd Napo Vice Chair Megan who both promote the TUC report and refer to it in their motion.If you read the blurb you will see this is part of a joint Union campaign which does include Napo ie Napo and Unison (and POA etc)are slready working together. If anyone is a "numpty" this evening I fear its you

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  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gi_IGuKx4U

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  11. The lobby has had a luke warm response in my office and I am not the only one who is a bit puzzled that Pat Waterman, or anyone from London Branch, has not been asked to speak at the lobby as this will definitely not encourage London Napo members, of which there are over 1000, to attend. Napo Greater London Branch have been one of the branches driving the campaign and often putting National Napo to shame so why the snub? Also a bit puzzled why Napo's press officer is being given a slot as surely she has had a chance to express her views for some time. I have had several emails from my branch about the lobby but now it looks as if Pat won't be speaking I don't think I'll bother to go.

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    1. That's a very interesting point about Pat Waterman - it's very strange she's not speaking - is it a snub? Anyone prepared to say something?

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    2. Perhaps she's on holiday - it's early September after all - why is it always a conspiracy!

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    3. Pat will be attending the lobby but has not been invited to speak.

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    4. In response to - `why is it always a conspiracy!' ..... No such thing as coincidence in climates and situations like these

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  12. If people have no confidence in the G.S, and this appears to b the majority, how do we get him out and replace him with someone more suitable who wants to fight public ally for the members

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