Napo the largest trade union in the HMPPS Probation Service (England and Wales) has today served notice of its intention to ballot its members to support a campaign of industrial action. This follows an unresolved trade dispute on Probation Pay and Workloads and a deadlock following recent negotiations with the employer on a joint Napo, UNISON and GMB claim for a 12% pay increase in 2025.
Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence says: ‘Our pay claim reflects the relentless demands that are seriously impacting on the well-being of overworked and stressed-out Probation staff. This has in turn led to a staggering 103,000 working days lost due to mental illness in the Probation Service. Sadly, our long running trade dispute remains unresolved despite every effort on our part to secure a recommendable pay offer. Napo members have consistently delivered policies at a moment’s notice under this and the previous government, to supervise the release of Prisoners back into the community to free up space in Jails, but have yet to receive the respect that they deserve and a pay rise that will truly demonstrate that this government values them beyond kind words.’
The Probation trade unions say that pay in the Probation Service has decreased by 60% in real terms over the last 10 years and that it has fallen behind the salaries available to comparators such as staff in Prisons, Police and the Youth Justice sector.
The plan is for the postal ballot for strike action and action short of strike action, to be issued on the 25th July with a result being declared on Friday 22nd August. Should members vote in favour of action this could be enacted at any time in the following six months. It is estimated that industrial action will place even greater pressure across all aspects of the justice system.
Ian Lawrence added: ‘It’s both very sad and somewhat ironic that a trade union who broadly supports reforms to the justice system such as a presumption against short-term prison sentences and policies that will provide a clear benefit to our communities and the taxpayer, finds itself in such a position. This reflects the lack of attention by the previous government to the vital role played by Probation and the fact that our members regularly report that enough is enough. It is not too late to resume negotiations, but we now need the direct intervention of Government Ministers to help us achieve a realistic outcome that will help to stabilise the Probation workforce.’
Ends
Notes:
Napo has submitted a joint pay claim with its sister unions, Unison and GMB, for 12%. The civil service pay remit is 3.25%
Current starting salaries:
Administrator: £23,583
Probation Service Officer: £26,475
Probation Officer: £35,130
Senior Probation Officer: £44,100
Contact:
Telephone or online only
Tania Bassett: or tbassett@napo.org.uk
Ian Lawrence: ilawrence@napo.org.uk