Manx nurses willing to strike over new pay offer

In a ballot, 70% of union members indicated a willingness to strike

Nurses on the Isle of Man have indicated a willingness to take strike action after rejecting the latest pay offer by Manx Care.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) employed by the health provider took part in an "indicative" ballot from 26 February to 12 March.

In November, staff rejected Manx Care's latest offer of a 4% uplift backdated to April 2024.

The BBC has contacted the health provider for a response.

Although the latest vote does not give the union a mandate to hold a walkout, it does indicate that its members would be willing to support strike action in a "statutory" ballot in future.

It marks the second time in recent years the RCN has balloted its members over the issue and follows two rounds of strike action by nurses in 2023.

In the latest survey, 70% of members who took part indicated support for strike action.

'Historically undervalued'

An RCN spokeswoman said its members were concerned that the latest offer "did not include back-pay for those who had already left Manx Care in the months since the offer should have been implemented".

The RCN's North West Regional Director Simon Browes said: "Our members do not feel like they are being heard and believe that taking action is necessary to bring about a resolution.

He said: "Industrial action is always a last resort, but we are also clear that the skill, professionalism, and safety critical work of nursing staff has historically been undervalued, and that patients are being put at risk due to the staffing crisis on the Isle of Man."

He asked Manx Care to continue negotiations with RCN members.