Strike at Barnet disability service postponed after ACAS talks

A walk out by Unison members at a north London independent living service for disabled adults has been averted.

Unison members at Your Choice Barnet had planned to go on strike tomorrow over plans to slash pay by 9.5%.

But after talks at the arbitrations service ACAS on Friday, the union and Your Choice Barnet, a trading company run by Barnet Homes that was spun out of Barnet Council in February 2012, agreed to postpone the strike and the onset of the pay cut pending further discussions.

In a joint statement, Your Choice Barnet and Unison said: “Your Choice Barnet has agreed to make a one-off payment in the July pay run to the equivalent of reinstating the 9.5% reduction for that month only to affected staff.

“Talks will continue between Unison and Your Choice Barnet with a view to identifying potential savings for the organisation of £400,000. Talks to be completed and all options explored by 12 July 2014.”

“On the basis of this agreement Unison has agreed to suspend strike action.”