Strike called off at Lyric Belfast

An eleventh-hour pay offer has lifted a strike threat to new production "Paradise" in Belfast.

Members called off a planned stoppage after the theatre's management made a "significantly improved" pay offer.

The strike by BECTU members would have disrupted the premier of the production "Paradise".

BECTU's Arts and Entertainment Supervisory Official Willy Donaghy commented; "We are pleased that we have finally come to a settlement, but we are disappointed that it took a strike ballot to make management take our members seriously - they could have made a realistic offer months ago.

"However, we look forward to constructive negotiations in autumn to address outstanding issues. We applaud the unity and discipline of our members at the Lyric Theatre which has won through in the end."