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Probation officers strike threat Probation officers strike threat
(about 6 hours later)
Probation officers are threatening to strike in the New Year in a dispute over pay and working conditions.Probation officers are threatening to strike in the New Year in a dispute over pay and working conditions.
Union officials claim re-offending could increase because the probation service is facing pay cuts of up to 12% over the next three years.Union officials claim re-offending could increase because the probation service is facing pay cuts of up to 12% over the next three years.
The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo) says it will challenge any threat to its members' wages.The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo) says it will challenge any threat to its members' wages.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman says extra funds of around 2%-3% have been found for each probation area's budget. A Ministry of Justice spokesman says extra funds of about 2%-3% have been found for each probation area's budget.
Staff cannot be expected to take on more and more work for less pay and stand by and see colleagues made redundant Harry Fletcher NapoStaff cannot be expected to take on more and more work for less pay and stand by and see colleagues made redundant Harry Fletcher Napo
Harry Fletcher, Napo's assistant general secretary, said: "The budgetary situation in probation is untenable.Harry Fletcher, Napo's assistant general secretary, said: "The budgetary situation in probation is untenable.
"Staff cannot be expected to take on more and more work for less pay and stand by and see colleagues made redundant."Staff cannot be expected to take on more and more work for less pay and stand by and see colleagues made redundant.
"This is bound to lead to a deterioration in service and more re-offending.""This is bound to lead to a deterioration in service and more re-offending."
Napo claims staff have been told that wage increments, which are worth hundreds of pounds a year, will not be automatically paid to them, or that any additional amounts they are expecting will be treated as part of their annual increase.Napo claims staff have been told that wage increments, which are worth hundreds of pounds a year, will not be automatically paid to them, or that any additional amounts they are expecting will be treated as part of their annual increase.
Napo said the government's plans would leave staff feeling demoralised and it would be "impossible" for the service to function properly.Napo said the government's plans would leave staff feeling demoralised and it would be "impossible" for the service to function properly.
The union also claimed that members, in areas including Sussex, were being asked to work more days for less pay, while others had been threatened with losing their job if they refused to take unpaid leave.The union also claimed that members, in areas including Sussex, were being asked to work more days for less pay, while others had been threatened with losing their job if they refused to take unpaid leave.
Legal adviceLegal advice
Mr Fletcher said: "The union is taking legal advice, will be lobbying parliament in due course, and will take industrial action if that becomes necessary."Mr Fletcher said: "The union is taking legal advice, will be lobbying parliament in due course, and will take industrial action if that becomes necessary."
The Probation Service Law enforcement agency for England and WalesEmploys approximately 2,000 staffLooks after around 200,000 offenders at any one time Source: National Probation Service for England and WalesThe Probation Service Law enforcement agency for England and WalesEmploys approximately 2,000 staffLooks after around 200,000 offenders at any one time Source: National Probation Service for England and Wales
The Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Napo's information does not reflect the true position.The Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Napo's information does not reflect the true position.
"We have found an average of an extra 2-3% for each probation area's budget which has allayed many of the concerns about staff reductions in the service.""We have found an average of an extra 2-3% for each probation area's budget which has allayed many of the concerns about staff reductions in the service."
He said guidance and support on managing budgets and resources was available to all areas of the probation service.He said guidance and support on managing budgets and resources was available to all areas of the probation service.
""The overall probation-related services have benefited from a real terms budget increase of around 70% from 1996/97 to 2007/08.""The overall probation-related services have benefited from a real terms budget increase of around 70% from 1996/97 to 2007/08.
"Local probation areas have been expected to plan for future years taking this unprecedented increase in funding into consideration.""Local probation areas have been expected to plan for future years taking this unprecedented increase in funding into consideration."