THE THREAT of immediate industrial action over back-dated wage rises to manual workers has been averted.

The Transport and General Workers Union had been close to calling its 1,600 members out over the early ‘goodwill’ payment of 2.4% into manual workers salaries next month. However, the Chief Minister Frank Walker told regional industrial organiser Nick Corbel staff could choose not to receive the money and as a result the TGWU has backed away from strike action. In an unprecedented move, the States Employment Board announced on Tuesday that it would pay workers what they have been offered before negotiations with pay groups had concluded. Senator Walker made the announcement in the States that a back-dated payment of 2.4% of salaries from 1 June 2006 would be given to all public service employees in their wages next month. Union leaders were concerned that the move was an attempt to impose a settlement and put the future of collective bargaining at risk.