Dear Staff Side Colleagues
Re: Manx Pay Terms and Conditions/National Joint Council Combined Joint Negotiating Committee (Pay)
I would like to once again thank those who were able to attend the pay meeting on 29 March 2022, which was convened at short notice and meant that unfortunately not all unions were able to be there. During our meeting we discussed both Management Side’s wish to proceed to arbitration and the Staff Side’s intention to ballot their members in relation to potential industrial action. It was agreed that these could proceed concurrently.
As discussed, Manx Care would wish to seek arbitration on the pay awards for both 2021/22 for which the offer of 4% has been rejected and 2022/23 for which an opening offer of 2% has been rejected. The reasons for this are that it seems likely that negotiations for 2022/23 will also be protracted and agreement may not be possible, given the disparity between what Manx Care is able to offer and staff side aspirations (based on the request for 15% for in 2021/22 and strongly expressed views on the feelings of staff regarding pay rates).
I will ensure that staff side are copied into correspondence with Manx Industrial Relations concerning the request for arbitration. It was noted during our meeting that both parties would need to agree the terms of reference of the Arbitrator and that conciliation or mediation would be the first step in this process. With regard to the intention to ballot in relation to potential industrial action, should industrial action be indicated as advised during our meeting, Manx Care would ask CoMin to make an order, for ratification by Tynwald, to designate some or all of the services of Manx Care, as essential services, as provided for in section 14 of the Trade Unions Act 1991.
I would be grateful if Staff Side would confirm by no later than 1700hrs on Tuesday 05 April, if they would agree to arbitration on 2022/23 as well as 2021/22 pay, as Manx Care is minded to implement a 4% pay increase, effective from 01 April 2021, for our MPTC and NJC colleagues, as soon as possible. I believe this is the right thing to do so they are not further disadvantaged by the protracted pay negotiations whilst we continue to work towards agreement.
Yours sincerely
Teresa Cope
Chief Executive