Nursing staff urged to consider new 6% pay offer

But RCN describes issues over backpay as 'uphill battle'

Nursing staff are being urged to take part in a new consultation about their pay.

With the dust barely settled after a recent pay deal between Manx Care and the Royal College of Nursing a new offer for 2023/2024 is being considered.

You can find out more HERE.

The health body has offered six per cent.

Estephanie Dunn, Regional Director for the RCN in the North West, said: “It feels strange to be back out surveying members so soon after agreeing the last pay offer however this new offer is for a different pay year as we’re still playing catch-up.

"We are not recommending how members should vote but we are asking that they do vote. It is up to members whether they think the offer is acceptable or not.

"The last pay offer took so long to agree and resulted in strike action however it was down to our members taking this action that we finally got a better resolution for all employees at Manx Care. 

"We hope this time we can get to a resolution on their pay much quicker."

The RCN says it is 'concerned' that the offer does not necessarily include back-pay for those who have already left Manx Care in the months since the offer ‘should have been implemented'.

Following a challenge on the decision by the Island’s joint trade unions Manx Care has set up an appeals process.

This will consider individual cases however staff must have maintained a link with the trust in order to be eligible.

The issue has been described as an ‘uphill battle’ by RCN.

Ms Dunn added: “Whilst we want to work with Manx Care and the government to get the best offer possible for nursing staff, because we’re always behind with pay offers it means that there’s staff who have worked the hours but have since left making them ineligible to claim for the additional monies they should have had anyway, if the pay offer had been agreed at the start of the pay year.”

The consultative survey opened at 12pm today (31 January) and will close at 12pm on 14 February.

Ms Dunn told Manx Radio she isn't sure how the vote will go: