The threatened strike by 16,000 health service workers next week has been called off. Their union, IMPACT, has agreed a formula with the Health Service Employers' Agency to allow some 2,000 temporary and part-time staff to progress to the top of the relevant salary scales. This brings them in line with the new pay arrangements for temporary and part-time nurses.
A breakthrough came last night after two days of intensive talks at the Labour Relations Commission. Up until now IMPACT members in paramedical, clerical and administrative grades could not advance beyond the fifth point of the relevant pay scale unless they were made permanent. They will now be able to advance to the ninth point, with immediate effect, and to the top of the scales from next January. In some cases the difference in pay can be over £6,000 a year.