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Last Updated: Friday, 21 April 2006, 21:44 GMT 22:44 UK
Workers call off equal pay strike
Protesters in Aberdeen
Previous strike action closed many Aberdeen schools
A planned two-day strike by cleaners, caterers and carers in Aberdeen has been called off following a meeting between council and union officials.

About 500 workers had been planning to walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday, which could have disrupted 50 schools.

Some workers could be in line for equal pay settlements of about �15,000.

However, the Transport and General Workers Union claimed the offer was only 75% of what had been demanded and was recommending staff reject it.

The payments are aimed at compensating low-paid, mainly female, staff by bringing their jobs into line with work of equal value, often done by men.

Aberdeen City Council was originally proposing to give out �13.5m in retrospective pay.

They don't want to cause any more inconvenience for the people in the city
Tommy Campbell
T&G union

About 50 schools in Aberdeen were forced to close at the start of March after the staff held a 48-hour walkout.

The new proposed settlement, which was posted on Wednesday, is expected to cost about �15m.

Tommy Campbell, T&G union regional officer, said: "People still feel very determined about the issue, but feel the point has been well made.

"They don't want to cause any more inconvenience for the people in the city, so have decided not to go on strike.

"We are still unhappy with the offer, and the majority are going to fight on through the legal route."

The council said it was the best offer made by any local authority in Scotland.

Cllr Yvonne Allan welcomed the strike cancellation.

She said: "It's going to be good that the education and schools will not be disrupted. But I hope the staff affected are happy."


SEE ALSO:
Council makes new equal pay offer
14 Apr 06 |  Scotland
Council in new strike deal offer
30 Mar 06 |  Scotland
Council workers call off strike
21 Mar 06 |  Scotland
Second strike day shuts schools
10 Mar 06 |  Scotland
Schools close in strike over pay
09 Mar 06 |  Scotland


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