Nurses reject ‘simply unacceptable’ pay offer

Survey was open to all RCN members employed by Manx Care

Royal College of Nursing members have resoundingly rejected Manx Care's latest pay offer.

The new offer would've seen staff receive an additional unconsolidated lump sum of £300 in addition to the 4 per cent already paid for 2021/22.

For 2022/23 staff were being offered a further 2 per cent increase in addition to the 4 per cent award that was applied to October 2022 salaries.

The survey was open to all RCN members employed by Manx Care.

Of those eligible, 68 per cent voted, with 85 per cent rejecting the offer. 

A previous pay offer was rejected following a vote last July.

Estephanie Dunn, Regional Director for the RCN in the North West, said: "Our members have spoken with an overwhelming number of nurses voting to reject the pay offer because it is simply unacceptable. These results have given the RCN a clear mandate to act on their behalf. 

"After a decade of real-term pay cuts, including Manx Care’s recent pay awards and offers, the terrible hardship nursing staff are enduring alongside challenging working conditions, shows no sign of easing.

"I remain shocked and saddened that we are still at the point where we have had to negotiate for such a long time to get a decent and fair deal for a profession that is so valuable to the community on the Isle of Man but also, at a time when recruitment and retention of nurses is so urgent."

The RCN says it will now review the outcome of the survey and establish the next steps.