STAFF working for the probation service in England and Wales are walking out of their offices at noon today in a 24 hour strike against the privatising of the service.
The civil servants union, PCS, is supporting the National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO) who represent the striking probation staff.
In a statement the union said: ‘NAPO has served notice that it is calling on all its members in the Probation Service of England and Wales to take industrial action in the form of strike action from 12 noon Tuesday 5th November to 12 noon Wednesday 6th November.
‘The call follows the conclusive ballot result to support strike action and action short of strike action where 84% of those polled showed their willingness to take part in opposition to Chris Grayling’s Transforming Rehabilitation Agenda.’
Napo’s general secretary Ian Lawrence said: ‘Our members don’t take the decision to strike lightly, but they feel so strongly about the privatisation of the probation service and the impact this will have on community safety, that they feel they have no choice.
‘The public need to be aware of how the secretary of state’s plans will impact on their safety and their communities.
‘There is growing support in and outside of parliament for our campaign, as MPs begin to realise just how Grayling’s agenda to let privateers such as G4S and Serco undertake offender management, will impact on their constituents.’
In statement supporting the probation service strike PCS said: ‘We are backing the strike by Napo members against the privatisation of vital services.
‘The Ministry of Justice announced in May its plans to privatise up to 70% of probation’s core work. If these plans proceed it will lead to fragmentation of the service, staff cuts and public protection will be compromised.’
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘PCS fully supports the strike by Napo members in defence of public safety and against the privatisation of the vital service they provide.
‘Across the criminal justice system, and the public sector as a whole, the government is making reckless and unnecessary cuts that are causing hardship and risking public safety. It is no coincidence that in the last week, firefighters, civil servants and university staff have also been on strike.
‘We send our solidarity to all Napo members on strike for a safe and adequately resourced criminal justice system.’
