The Health Minister has downplayed the significance of a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ballot in which members indicated they would be prepared to take industrial action over an ongoing pay dispute.
The ballot, conducted in March, saw 69.86% of voting RCN members express a willingness to strike after rejecting a 4% pay offer from Manx Care, the island’s health and social care provider.
Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian told Tynwald: “Whilst the indicative ballot shows support for industrial action from the membership who voted, this is not a formal ballot for strike action.
“And there are alternatives in the workplace that Manx Care could consider to resolve the dispute, such as asking the industrial relations officer to conciliate.”
Seriously?
Her comments were challenged by predecessor Lawrie Hooper, who questioned whether the government was prepared to offer more than the 4% pay increase to avoid strike action.
He said: “The nurses have rejected the 4% offer, which means the government is going to have to offer a higher number to get them to accept. Strike action seems almost inevitable unless more money is found.”
Ms Christian responded by reiterating that the ballot was not a formal strike vote and that negotiations were ongoing.
She said: “The honourable member is speculating that an agreement cannot be found. As I’ve explained, there are alternatives to resolve the dispute.”
The RCN has confirmed that further meetings with Manx Care are scheduled.
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