The talks held between striking nurses and management of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church Medical College, Kolencherry, in Aluva on Thursday made progress with the nurses climbing down from their stiff demands and the management agreeing for a modest salary hike.

The talks were held in the presence of labour commissioner Mr T.T. Antony and regional joint commissioner Vincent Alex.

The talks that remained inconclusive would continue in the presence of labour minister Shibu Baby John on Saturday. Sources said that a deal was very much in sight.

But the talks between Lakeshore Hospital management and the nurses held in the city ended in a deadlock with the latter refusing to budge and making a fresh demand of weightage for experience. The management representatives walked out of the talks, sources said.

Later, a spokesman of the Lakeshore management said that they were waiting for a copy of the high court order which asked the nurses to move 50 metres away from the hospital gates to hold demonstrations.

“The court has asked the nurses not to disturb the functioning of the hospital. We will implement the court order.” He said Mr M.A. Yusuf Ali, chairman of the hospital, had offered the nurses Rs 1,000-Rs 4,000 hike and medical benefits but the nurses rejected them.

The striking nurses said they would intensify the stir at Lakeshore.