North Cumbria moves to harmonise wage levels

Around 7,000 NHS workers in north Cumbria will see their pay and conditions harmonised after a history of local pay deals left staff receiving different rewards for similar jobs.The deal followed consultation with trade unions and will affect staff at five trusts in the area, with the exception of Cumbria Ambulance Service trust.North Cumbria Mental Health and Learning Disabilities trust chief executive Nigel Woodcock, who chaired the negotiations, said: 'This has resulted in a significant investment of£500,000 being made by the local NHS in its staff.'Unison spokesman Peter Doyle described the agreement as 'an excellent way forward for our members'.