Derbyshire County Unison News : 04 June 2010

Probation service rumours

There are three main concerns that have been the subject of information requests:

· Re-grading to a lower grade following structural changes

· Removal of weekend working enhanced payments

· Redundancies

As UNISON is recognised by the Derbyshire Probation Service, and, also because of the Information & Consultation Directive that came into force three years ago, the first point that  I would like to make is that the management is obliged to consult with the unions prior to initiating any changes.  At present, there have been no formal approaches regarding any of the three issues.

However, there are good grounds for believing that once the July inspection has been completed, all three issues will be introduced.  Members should contact their representatives as soon as any discussions take place in order that the appropriate consultations are held with the unions.

Administrative staff may be faced with a new structure that effectively places many current employees on a lower salary grade than they currently enjoy.  This could be a major variation to Nationally agreed terms and conditions and should not be implemented on a local level.  Any member who is asked to sign up to the new terms should inform the union.  Our advice is not to sign.

Weekend working enhancements are being defended in Yorkshire & Humberside currently as the management there tried to replace established staff with casual employees to avoid paying the enhanced rates contained in the National terms and conditions.  If a similar  attempt is made in Derbyshire, the campaign, which has already scored a victory in South Yorkshire Probation service, will be expanded to include Derbyshire.

Rumours of compulsory redundancies involving up to 25 in number amongst Administrative staff may have no firm basis in practice at present, but it is obvious that management have to deal with the recent edicts from the Ministry to cut budgets by 4.9% this year with a further 2.3% next year.  Any redundancies that are contemplated are governed by legislation and the employer has to comply with the (in this case) requirement to formally involve the unions in  90 days of consultation on processes and selection criteria before making anyone redundant.  Invitations for Voluntary redundancies may precede the formal processes and as this is a personal decision, UNISON’s role would be purely advisory for any member thinking of applying.

The purpose of this letter is to alert all members to the three issues, and to request that UNISON is kept informed of any developments.

Paul Barry

4th June 2010

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