- Conference
- 2014 Police & Justice Conference
- Date
- 26 June 2014
- Decision
- Carried
Conference welcomes the campaigning work by our union against the potential privatisation of the probation service.
Alongside concerns about the likely disastrous impact on service delivery are very real concerns about the impact on staff terms and conditions.
The probation service, as a public body, was subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty and as such developed good practice in employment and service delivery, including in areas such as diversity in the workforce; ensuring access for disabled workers; flexible working and enhanced maternity provisions.
The organisations currently lining up as potential bidders have no such record, and there is every likelihood that terms and conditions will be adversely impacted, with equality issues taking a back seat in the drive to improve “efficiency” and to reduce costs.
Conference therefore calls upon the service group executive to seek to ensure that, whatever the future shape of the probation service, the protection of terms and conditions, including those negotiated under the equality agenda, is paramount.