Ballot over doctor strike action starts next week

A ballot on strike action by doctors working for Manx Care is set to be sent out next week in a dispute over pay, a union has confirmed.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said 155 of its island members, including salaried dentists and consultants, would be asked to vote on industrial action.

The six-week window for the ballot will run from Tuesday until 23 December.

The BMA's call for a 12.6% uplift for the 2023-24 pay award year was rejected as "unaffordable" by Manx Care, which implemented a 6% an interim measure instead.

The healthcare provider's chief executive, Teresa Cope, last month said it would cost up to £4m to plug the "significant gap of 6.6%" between the offer and the union's demands.

Manx Care is facing a £16.8m deficit this financial year, and has been tasked with making savings in a bid to balance its books.

Announcing the ballot in October, the BMA said while inflation on the island had increased by 56.3% over the past 16 years. the "the maximum consultant’s salary increased by just 27.3% over the same period".

At the time chairman of the union’s council Phil Banfield said Manx doctors were "overstretched and underpaid" and "deserved the same" as UK doctors, who have successfully taken action.

The union confirmed the results of the ballot, the first of its kind for Manx doctors, were expected to be released shortly after they have been confirmed.

Pay rises of 3% for 2021-22, followed by 6% coupled with a £1,000 consolidated increase in 2022-23 have been awarded in previous years.

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