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Resolution 7
White Ribbon Campaign
(1)
This BGCM notes that whilst both men and women can experience domestic violence, the
majority of the victims are women and the majority of the perpetrators are men. Police in the UK
receive one domestic violence call every minute, which is even more shocking given that less than
half of incidents are reported.
(2)
This BGCM believes that a cultural change is needed in order to address the issue of
domestic violence. The tolerance of sexual and physical violence against women and girls is based on
attitudes and beliefs which persist today, decades after the first equalities legislation. The White
Ribbon Campaign is a worldwide movement which encourages men to stand with women to
condemn domestic violence and asks them to speak up about the issue with fellow men.
(3)
The MU calls on the GFTU and its members to support the White Ribbon campaign,
encourage male comrades to sign up and encourage unions and employers to promote the three
national helplines - one for female victims, one for male victims and one responding to perpetrators
to motivate them to recognise the problem and get help to change.
Resolution 8
Outsourcing and Accountability
(1)
On the 1st June 2014 the Probation Service was split into 21 Community Rehabilitation
Companies, and a National Probation Service. On 18th December 2014 the 10 year contracts for the
CRC’s were signed off with the new providers with a view that the contracts are mobilised in
February 2015.
(2)
Since the split last year the probation service has been in chaos. There are significant staff
shortages which are resulting in high workloads, impacting on service delivery and causing significant
levels of stress for staff. ICT failures have resulted in staff having to duplicate work up to four times
before assessments and reports can be saved successfully on the IT systems. None of the IT is
Assistive Technology friendly having a disproportionate impact on disabled staff. Sickness absence
has doubled in both organisations in just four months with 46% of members reporting stress related
problems due to their work. In some cases, when members tried to raise concerns about public
safety and staff welfare with clients, MPs and other stakeholders they were threatened and
criticised. This Biennial Conference calls on all unions to work together to fight stress at work by
sharing and promoting best practice; and championing managers and staff who raise these concerns
internally and when necessary externally.
(3)
Conference notes that the government’s ill thought out plans to “reform” probation has had
a serious impact on Napo members with little or no consideration for their wellbeing. This in turn
has had an impact on service delivery which in our view places a direct risk to the public as it
undermines public protection and risk management. We call on this GFTU Biennial conference to
support all public sector workers who are being asked to do more for less. We acknowledge the
impact the outsourcing of probation has had on staff, communities and offenders. Conference
supports Napo’s campaign to hold all probation providers accountable to deliver quality services, a
duty of care to employees and provide ongoing support for ourmembers in relation to health and
safety, good practice and good industrial relations.