Nurses living in the Isle of Man who are Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members are are being asked what they consider to be a ‘fair pay offer’ for 2024/25.
The union is consulting nursing staff members employed by Manx Care, the equivalent body to the Island’s NHS, across both primary and secondary care services.
The RCN has already consulted on two pay offers from Manx Care for this financial year, both of which were rejected by members.
Earlier this year, the RCN Isle of Man Branch, Regional Board and Trade Union Committee also organised an ‘indicative ballot’ to gauge nursing staff’s appetite for strike action, if a pay resolution was not met.
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The majority of RCN members on the island (70%) said they would be willing to take strike action.
Following further talks between the RCN and Manx Care, the union is now asking its members to vote on a range of potential pay percentage increases, in addition to the 4% already awarded to nurses and other Manx public sector workers earlier this month.
The unions Prospect and Unite accepted the increase offered by the Public Services Commission (PSC), which was backdated to 1 April 2024.
RCN members have also expressed concern about a decision not to award the year’s pay increase to individuals who left the organisation after April 2024.
In response to this concern, a question has been included in the consultation to assess members’ willingness to reject a percentage pay increase, even if otherwise acceptable, if Manx Care does not agree to award back pay to members who left after April 2024.
Simon Browes, regional director for RCN North West, said both the RCN and Manx Care are eager to ‘find a way forward’.
‘However, we are clear that nursing staff have been historically undervalued and that they not only deserve pay which reflects the skill and responsibilities of their roles, but to ensure that patients are no longer being put at risk due to the staffing crisis on the island.
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‘We would urge every member to have their say to help to build a better future for nurses and patients on the Isle of Man,’ he added.
A spokesperson for Manx Care told Nursing in Practice that the organisation is ‘in close dialogue’ with the union and is aware of the current ballot.
‘We view this initiative by the RCN as a helpful step that will enable constructive dialogue between our organisations.
‘Our goal is to continue these discussions in a collaborative manner to resolve the ongoing pay dispute,’ they said.
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This week it was also revealed that some nurses are having to accept lower paid job roles to achieve changes to their hours, working conditions or to further their education, the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) warned.
