Manx nurses vote to strike over new pay offer

Alex Blake
BBC News, Isle of Man
PA Media Medical staff in a busy hospital corridor, some looking at a monitor screen.PA Media
In a ballot, 70% of union members voted for strike action

Nurses on the Isle of Man have voted 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 a 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.

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 voted to strike.

'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.

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