Unite says action could spread

Other unions are warning their members would be expecting wage rises in line with inflation, as Manx Telecom staff prepare to strike over their pay deal.

Next Friday workers at MT will hold a one-day stoppage and begin an overtime ban after being offered 4.1%, well below the current inflation figure of 6.5%.

Mick Hewer of the Transport and General Workers’ section of Unite says with rising energy and food prices, other workers will have similar expectations.

He says he doesn’t want to raise the fear of more strikes elsewhere, but unions will be asking for wage rises that keep track with the government’s inflation figures: