Local authority management has pulled back from its threat to unilaterally change promotion procedures so that talks with IMPACT take place. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents employers in the sector, confirmed that the status quo will remain in place pending the outcome of negotiations after local authority staff overwhelmingly voted for industrial action if changes were imposed without agreement.

IMPACT met with the LGMA last month to discuss the agency’s proposal to advertise all promotions for grades IV-VII in public competitions with effect from 1^st January 2017. A further meeting is being scheduled.

Meanwhile in the education sector, talks between the union and the education department have resulted in agreement to maintain the ratio of promotions. This means that 80% of promotions for grades V-VII will be filled by competitions confined to IMPACT’s educational pool.