Isle of Man nurses ready to strike over 4% pay offer

Nurses have described Manx Care's offer as "unacceptable"

Nurses on the Isle of Man have said they would be prepared to take industrial action over a long-running pay dispute.

A majority of those who responded to the Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) ballot said Manx Care's latest two-year 4% pay offer was "unacceptable".

More than half said they would be ready to strike while 45% said they were not prepared to take action.

Manx Care said it was eager "to seek a constructive resolution".

The RCN ballot ran across July as other health unions involved in the dispute over pay also sought the views of their members.

Manx Care has offered a 4% rise for both 2021/22 and 2022/23 to all health care staff on Manx Pay Terms and Conditions contracts.

It comes after more than a year of negotiations which began with a 1% offer for last year from the island's health operator, with the unions initially holding out for a 15% rise.

'Insulting'

About 75% of the RCN's voted in the ballot on the latest proposal, with 83% voting that the deal was "unacceptable".

On industrial action, a split of 55% in favour, 45% against was recorded.

A union spokeswoman said the results show the "anger and upset" among members towards the "insulting offer" which was lower than awards in the UK.

Manx nurses were "over-stretched and over-worked, often working on good-will", she added.

A Manx Care spokeswoman sad the health provider was waiting for a response from all unions about the offer, which was "slightly more than 8% over two years".

Carmel O'Boyle of the RCN said though industrial action was "always a last resort", the RCN needed to ensure its members' views were heard.