Talks continue to settle pay row

Radiographers will offer limited cover until the dispute is settled

Radiography staff at two hospitals in Greater Manchester will hold more talks on Monday in an effort to settle a long-running dispute over pay.

Staff at Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary say they will provide only limited cover until a settlement is reached with the Pennine Acute Trust.

They say the trust is refusing to pay them the same rate as colleagues at other hospitals in the area.

The trust has now agreed an interim pay rate while talks continue.

'Appropriate remuneration'

Ann Jarvis, from the Society of Radiographers, said: "We tried to resolve the issue without taking industrial action and gave the trust every opportunity to correct this injustice.

"All the radiographers wanted was appropriate and equal remuneration for the work that they do."

The Oldham and Rochdale staff have been paid £9 on-call allowance and the trust offered to increase it to £28.

However, colleagues at North Manchester General and Fairfield General, part of the same trust, have been earning £39.

An interim amount of £34 has been agreed while talks are held.