Isle of Man: Nurses hold pay protest ahead of strike action

Nursing staff on the Isle of Man have taken part in a protest over pay and later this month are set to escalate action to a strike.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) held a march on Tuesday 18 July that started at the island’s main hospital, passed by its parliament building and ended at a promenade spot in the capital town of Douglas.

The RCN said the march was a “peaceful protest as part of the campaign for fair pay” on the self-governing island, which is located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland.

The dispute between health unions and Manx Care is covering pay for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years.

According to Manx Care, the offer that has been put forward is for a 6% pay increase and a £1,000 unconsolidated payment.

In ballot that took place in June, over 70% of RCN members on the Isle of Man who voted said they would be willing to take strike action over pay.

The peaceful protest this week was not strike action and therefore only those who were not on the rota to work were able to join in.

Nurses working for Manx Care are then set to strike from 8am to 8pm on Tuesday 25 July.

RCN regional director for the North West of England, Estephanie Dunn, said: “The ballot outcome and recent engagement with our membership on the Isle of Man has given a strong message how they want us to progress their campaign for fair pay.”

She added: “Both our members and Manx Care need a resolution to this protracted pay dispute, but there has been enough talk. Now we need action.”

A spokesperson for Manx Care said it was having meetings with the RCN to plan for the industrial action.

“We respect and acknowledge our colleagues’ right to take industrial action,” they added.

Asked to confirm what had been offered for nurses, the spokesperson said: “A £1,000 unconsolidated sum (in addition to the 6% that had already been offered) was made to the all staff side organisations on 20 April 2023 at our regular Partnership meeting.”