The former chair of the Public Services Commission has blamed unions for the government being unable to reach a deal with workers.
Kate Lord-Brennan, who resigned from the government before Christmas, also criticised the media coverage of her successor Rob Callister’s attempts to reach a deal.
The PSC staff represented by Unite the Union and Prospect rejected the government’s pay offer last year.
That offer was for 4% in 2024/25, 2.5% in 2025/26 and 2% in 2026/27, with caveats attached to reopens negotiations based on inflation.
Sharing an email she sent to Manx Radio on December 31, Ms Lord-Brennan said: “To me it seems there are many PSC employees who would be happy to accept the offer and it is viewed by many as more than reasonable.
“To conclude this issue, in my view, unions should endorse the more than generous offer made to their members (which does have some safeguards built in for next two years) to allow their members and all PSC employees to get a pay award applied and they should also stop changing the parameters for what is agreeable and putting in multiple revised pay claims.
“Without a doubt, it is the unions holding up a pay award being applied already and in January, not a lack of any meetings or discussion.
“Many staff would have very much welcomed a pay award in the order offered, especially after Christmas, as it could have been received in January, or before.”
Public Purse
The Glenfaba & Peel MHK also pointed out how much the pay rises would cost tax payers, saying every 1% increase in the PSC wage bill “costs the taxpayer in excess of £1.5 million, without taking into account national insurance and pension contributions”.
She added: “Whilst fair pay and terms should of course be taken into account, there is also a wider view to be considered, and balanced, between the cost of the public sector and the economy.
“Part of that is to consider the impact of increased government spending, which is funded by the taxpayer, and what the economy can afford.”
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