Libraries strike halted as merger plans axed

The threat of industrial action at public libraries has eased after a national library merger plan was dropped.

Trade union Impact, which had been fighting the merger proposals, welcomed the move, which also clears the way for key library posts to be filled.

Impact says it will await written confirmation of the decision to drop the merger plans, which the union expects will include a commitment to fill vacant county librarian posts, and will consider the finer detail before officially deferring its industrial action.