Probation officers fight cuts

West Yorkshire probation staff are fighting plans to reduce
their hours because of budget cuts. The local probation service has
drawn up plans for organisational changes in its four hostels which
will reduce the use of relief staff.

John Richardson from the Kirklees Community Law Centre, which is
advising two of the workers, said: ‘If people have been doing
regular work for an organisation for several years, even a verbal
agreement can be determined by a tribunal as a contract.’

Paul Thurston, assistant chief probation officer, said he could
not guarantee regular work to all relief staff.