RCN to ballot Manx Care staff over proposed 4% pay offer

Union claims it's the next step in campaign for 'fair pay'

Nursing staff will be balloted over whether or not to accept a four per cent pay rise.

The Royal College of Nursing, which has more than 700 members on the Island, says it’s the next step in its campaign for 'fair pay'.

It’s been in negotiations with Manx Care since May last year and several offers have already been rejected ranging from one per cent.

The RCN is asking for a 15 per cent consolidated pay increase plus a one-off payment.

"Employees have been left hanging for months"

Carmel O’Boyle is the chair of the North West Regional Board. 

She said: “Manx Care employees have been left hanging for months about the in-year pay offer  This new offer from Manx Care is more encouraging but there is still a long way to go to meet the original 15 per cent requested.

“In this time staff have seen their cost-of-living soar and demand on services increase with inadequate staffing levels in place. 

"We should not be in a situation where nurses are overworked and burnt-out.  It is unsafe to operate such major services with such poor staffing levels.”

Mary-Anne Parkinson is the senior regional officer for the Isle of Man:

The ballot will take place between 1 March and 17 March – staff will be asked whether a final pay offer of four per cent for 2021-22 is acceptable.

If the ballot presents a mandate for rejecting the offer the RCN will not authorise industrial action but the vote will be used to inform the ‘next steps’.

"We believe that the Isle of Man is an attractive place for healthcare workers"

Manx Radio asked Manx Care to comment.

A spokesperson said: “Manx Care is pleased to be able to put forward a pay offer of four per cent which we believe highlights our commitment to our colleagues, and is significantly more than the initial one per cent that was budgeted for in the current financial year.

“We have worked extensively with the unions across the last nine months to try to agree an offer which recognises the contribution that our staff make and yet is balanced against the need to continue to deliver public services in a very challenging and unprecedented economic environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“ We believe that the Isle of Man is an attractive place for healthcare workers to live and enjoy a career and recognise that we do offer a positive pay differential between here and the UK.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff-side colleagues for their contribution to the pay negotiation talks over the last nine months.”