Probation service staff in eight areas are working to their contracted hours as part of a dispute over their workloads following a strike on January 28.

The National Association of Probation Officers said the action was being taken in areas were there had not been agreement on mechanisms to measure workloads, and to ensure that tasks are set aside when they become excessive.

Eithne Wallis, national director of the probation service, has warned that the industrial action "could undermine significant progress made in recent years".

The action does not include staff in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).