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Isle of Man nurses in crunch pay talks

Nurses on the Isle of Man say they are 'bitterly disappointed' that their claim of a 5% pay award was turned down by the Manx government. They say it will make the island a less attractive place to work.

Nurses on the Isle of Man are ‘bitterly disappointed’ that pay talks have ended without agreement


Nurses have been left 'bitterly dissapointed' by Manx Government
failing to come to an agreement over pay. Picture: Neil O'Connor

The RCN and nurses’ employer on the Isle of Man, the Manx government, are now set to go to arbitration next month (June) to seek a resolution.

Nurses’ representatives had asked for a 5% pay award in recognition of the real-term cut in wages the profession has experienced due to pay restraint.

'Bitterly dissapointing'

But this was turned down by the government, leading both sides to head to arbitration.

RCN senior officer Mary-Anne Parkinson said: ‘It’s bitterly disappointing that the Manx Government is unwilling to reward hard working nurses and health staff with a 5% pay award.

‘Nurses have suffered a real term pay cut, only receiving a modest increase in 2015.

'With the cost of living and energy bills increasing, many are struggling to make ends meet at the end of the month.’

Recruitment impact

Ms Parkinson added that the pay situation, along with changes to pensions and Brexit, would have an impact on recruitment.

‘With uncertainty over pay and recent changes to staff pensions, the Isle of Man is increasingly becoming less attractive as an employer.

'The Island will struggle to recruit and retain qualified nurses or attract new candidates into the profession,’ she said. 

‘This the time when the island needs to retain staff, especially as European nurses start heading for the door in the run up to Brexit.

Ms Parkinson urged the Manx government to ‘think carefully and not miss this critical opportunity to stop the situation from getting worse’.


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