Members of the Prospect union have narrowly rejected what was billed as a ‘final’ pay offer for government workers.

In a ballot, 51.23% rejected the offer and 48.6% accepted it - with 0.1% spoilt papers.

Prospect’s negotiations officer Mick Hewer said he has requested an urgent meeting with the Public Services Commission ‘to discuss next steps’

Unite, the other main public sector union, had branded the final offer as derisory. Following its ballot, members voted overwhelmingly against the deal with 73.56% rejecting it, 24.9% voting in favour and 1.52% spoilt papers.

It’s the fourth time a pay offer has been rejected.

Last month, the PSC tabled a new two-year deal, and said this would be its final offer.

The previous three-year offer had been for a 4% increase this year, followed by 3% next year and 2% in 2026-27. The newly-rejected deal was for just two years, with 4% in 2024-25 but with a lower increase of 2.5% in 2025-26.

Mr Hewer said: ‘It was close but it was a high turn-out and it’s still a rejection. We’ve had “full and final” offers before.

‘I want to be positive about this. As far as we are concerned, if they came back to us with 4% and 3% and harmonisation of leave I would be encouraging members to accept.’

Ahead of the ballot, Unite the Union Isle of Man posted on Facebook: ‘We are being asked to ballot on a worse offer than before.

‘The elitist on movie star wages would reap the benefits yet the workers who do provide the essential services are left behind.’

The PSC said it had favoured a three-year deal, which it said had provided financial clarity. As a result, it had been willing to offer a higher percentage in year two than was now being offered.