The main points of Labour Court proposals

PAY: Increase maximum of staff nurse scale from £20,350 to £21,000. Shorten incremental scale from 15 years to 13 years.

PAY: Increase maximum of staff nurse scale from £20,350 to £21,000. Shorten incremental scale from 15 years to 13 years.

TEMPORARY NURSES: Increase the number of permanent posts for temporary nurses from 1,700 to 2,000. Increase the incremental credits for temporary nurses being made permanent from five years to seven.

LOWER PAY ON ENTRY: The court says that proposals to introduce lower pay rates for nurses entering the profession should be withdrawn.

EARLY RETIREMENT: Nurses should be eligible for early retirement at 55. However, this is limited to 200 nurses a year, who must have at least 35 years permanent service.

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COMMISSION: A commission to be set up within one month of the proposals being accepted, which would examine all aspects of nurses' working conditions and a general assessment of their evolving role in society.