Union counting votes in strike ballot

The result of a strike ballot by staff at the Isle of Man Man Post Office should be known later today (Wednesday).

Around 270 members of the Communication Workers' Union have had about a month to cast their votes, in a dispute over pay.

The outcome is expected to be passed on to Post Office management at lunchtime, and a 'yes' vote would pave the way for industrial action.

The union said its members reluctantly asked for a strike ballot for the first time 'in living memory', after becoming frustrated when no cost of living pay adjustments were made, at a time when the company was seen to be performing well.

It was claimed there was an agreement which said the staff should be rewarded if the Post Office made a profit, although the union couldn't find a copy signed by management.

The Post Office rejected the union's offer to go to binding arbitration, saying it had to abide by the public sector pay freeze.

Earlier this month, a senior union official said the fact Post Office management had been awarded increases this year could affect the way workers voted.

That comment was made after Chief Minister Tony Brown told the House of Keys no such pay rises had been given.