NI council victory

Trade unions at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (Unite, GMB, NIPSA and SIPTU) are celebrating success after suspending industrial action over a range of issues, some inherited from the formation of the council in 2015. Where there were pay anomalies, compensatory payments will range from £500 to £7,500.

Management will pursue a job evaluation process similar to that in other council areas; all roles, responsibilities and duties which currently attract allowances will continue to do so; trade unions will have a role in drawing up job descriptions; and negotiations will open on a new redundancy policy, without any preconditions.