In recent weeks Perth and Kinross council has joined South Lanark and Aberdeen in settling the dispute at a local level, the preferred approach of the employers. Meanwhile, union officers in the Highlands have recommended nursery nurses accept a locally negotiated offer and members are being balloted. Fife council has reached an interim settlement with nursery nurses.
Mike Emmott, employee relations advisor at the Chartered Instituted for Personnel Development, said he thought it was likely the dispute was now drawing to a close. 'This time around, if individual authorities begin to settle, then I think that will greatly reduce the chances of a national agreement,' he said.
'But the issue will come back another year. If employees continue to be unhappy with the way they are being appraised and paid, then you will see a continuing effort to negotiate a national agreement, but it will not be easy.'
Public sector union Unison had wanted a national settlement of its claim for a minimum starting salary of 18,000 a year for a nursery nurse.
Brain Falconer, Perth and Kinross Unison representative, said, 'A majority of the nursery nurse membership are happy with the negotiations which have taken place, and this should send a message out nationally that agreements such as this are achievable.'
Regional Unison officer Donald Shiach said the union had suspended industrial action in the Highlands following 'very constructive discussions with the council'. He added, 'The key discussions have centred round pay, but we have also been able to look at associated issues such as training and a career structure.'
However, at a national level, Unison has vowed to continue the fight. The union said it would continue selective industrial action from the beginning of December, but would not give times or dates for the action.
