A DAMAGING dispute over a controversial shake-up to Kent’s libraries appears to be nearing an end.

Library staff have called off a one-day strike due to take place this Friday after backing a settlement that union leaders say will safeguard jobs and avoid downgrading others.

Unison balloted its members last week on an offer by KCC to make some changes to its re-organisation plan.

Members have now backed the settlement and union leaders are expected to formally sanction the agreement this week.

Unison says the agreement reached will protect its members against downgrading and will allow them to be paid for extra responsibilities they may take on in the restructuring.

As a result of protracted negotiations, there will now be senior community librarians in each of Kent’s 12 library districts as well as “community librarian” posts, which will replace existing librarian jobs.

In addition, new intermediate positions, which were not in the original proposals, are to be created in every town centre library.

Unison welcomed the deal. Branch secretary David Buss said: “In negotiations, it is rare that anybody gets everything they want. However, the vote of our members shows we have achieved a solid agreement which can take the library service forward. This was a dispute that could have been avoided if staff had been listened to from the start.”

A spokesman for KCC said: “We put some proposals to Unison last week and members have voted to accept the offer.”