Shropshire probation staff in walkout over privatisation
Dozens of probation workers were today walking out across Shropshire and Mid Wales in a strike against Government plans to privatise the majority of the Probation Service.
Members of Napo, the trade union for Probation and Family Court staff, were staging the 24-hour walk-out in protest at plans by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to privatise 70 per cent of the service.
Staff were walking out at noon at Shrewsbury, Telford and Welshpool magistrates courts and will return to work at lunchtime tomorrow.
Karen Wright, a Shropshire Napo member, said picket lines are expected in Shrewsbury and Telford. But she said disruption to magistrates courts should be minimal.
"We are not trying to cause disruption to services, we are just fighting against the Government's plans," she said.
"Any kind of united action is an attempt to get the Government to take us seriously."
Stuart Arrowsmith, vice-chairman of Napo Cymru, who regularly works at Welshpool Magistrates Court, said staff were walking out of the court in Severn Road to join picket lines at the probation office in Newtown.
Mr Arrowsmith said: "Throughout Wales, there are picket lines outside many probation office and leaflets are being handed to members of the public. I hope for a massive turnout which will be a signal to the Government that its proposals will put the public at risk and dismantle the Probation Trust in Wales."
More than 28,000 people have signed a petition against the Government plans. The Ministry of Justice said:"We are opening up the market to a diverse range of new rehabilitation providers, so that we get the best out of the public, voluntary and private sectors, at both local and national level."
