Overview
- Napo said its members in probation and family courts delivered a strong vote in favour of industrial action, and union officials confirmed plans are being developed to launch strikes at a later date.
- The ballots, which on Friday, November 13, 2026 showed decisive support, recorded 85% for action short of strike on pay and 74% for full strikes, with similar margins on workloads.
- The union framed the dispute around an 'inadequate' 5% pay offer and long-term pay stagnation since 2010, saying some reception staff now earn only just above the minimum wage.
- Napo warned workloads are in a 'chronic' state and that members are doing thousands of hours of unpaid overtime to manage rising caseloads linked to the government's prisoner early-release scheme.
- No strike dates or a new employer offer have been reported, so the near-term impact on courts and community supervision will depend on the union's timetable and any employer response.