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Implementation

Implementation

Implementation

Resolution 7 (continued)

(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.

Conference notes that the government’s ill thought out plans to “reform”

probation

(3) 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 our members in relation to

health and safety, good practice and good industrial relations.

Resolution 9

Oppose the Privatisation of Children’s Services

(1) Government have planned for the marketization and privatisation of

children’s social services, including child protection investigations and

assessments, since early 2014. After huge public opposition to initial

proposals, Government moderated regulations to limit transfers to not-for-

profit mutual or charities.

Solidarity has been given to NAP throughout this

struggle and the General Secretary attended their

Conference as a speaker.

The GFTU supported a letter from play work

campaigners in The Guardian end May 2015

protesting against the decline in London services.

The General Secretary acted as Chair of the

Chooseyouth Campaign throughout the period

and had many articles on the decline of children’s

and youth service published.

Implementing 2015 Resolutions

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