High level talks between IMPACT and local authority employers focused on the issue of staffless libraries when the union met the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) last Friday (17^th February). And tomorrow (Tuesday) will see further talks on management plans to open all local government promotions to external competition.

The LGMA retreated on a threat to unilaterally scrap existing promotion competition procedures after a ballot of IMPACT’s local authority members overwhelmingly indicated a willingness to take industrial action on the issue. Instead, management agreed to talks.

There are agreements covering the extent of external advertising of promotional posts in every other part of the public service.

IMPACT national secretary Peter Nolan said the staffless libraries impasse is likely to lead to protests in the not-too-distant future. The union’s local government executive has met the relevant vocational groups to discuss the issue and how to proceed. Again, a ballot of members has given the union a mandate for industrial action if it remains necessary.