Vote 'clear message' action needed on nurses' pay

A ballot confirming the willingness of nurses to strike over pay represented a "clear message" that action was needed by Manx Care to resolve the row, a union has said.

The survey found 70% of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members who responded would be prepared to take industrial action after rejecting an offer of a 4% uplift.

RCN north west regional director Simon Browes said nurses felt they were "not being listened to" particularly over pay "keeping pace with the cost of living".

Health Minister Claire Christian said discussions were ongoing to "understand" what the union was looking for "in terms of a satisfactory settlement".

Answering an urgent Tynwald question, Christian said the health care body had taken the decision in February to impose the offer on the basis that seven of the nine unions had accepted it and being "mindful of our funding constraints".

The indicative ballot, which was launched shortly after that, found 70% of RCN respondents said they would be prepared to strike, which meant the union could go ahead with a statutory ballot on industrial action.

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.

Mr Browes said the result, which saw 52% of its members employed by Manx Care respond, had shown taking action was necessary to bring about a resolution.

He said back pay for staff who have left employment with the healthcare provider since April 2024 was another aspect of concern.

He also highlighted and "improved offer" of an 8% rise for doctors backdated to 1 April 2023, arguing a better deal for nurses was "really about fairness and equity".

In a statement, Manx Care said while the indicative ballot indicated "support" for industrial action from those who voted, it was not "a formal ballot for strike action" and the healthcare provider "remains committed to exploring alternatives in the workplace".

Further meetings were scheduled between the two parties, but the union had "not advised Manx Care of any next steps following their members rejection of the pay deal", it added.

The dispute over pay comes as Manx Care faces an overspend of more than £15m in the current financial year.

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