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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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