A STRIKE ballot has been called affecting a housing depot in Bolton.

Officials from the union Unite have called for the vote at Onward Housing and Hyndburn Homes Repairs.

Two hundred and thirty workers are understood to be involved in the potential industrial action.

The firm's depots are in Bolton, Accrington, Manchester, Liverpool, Runcorn and Stockport. Staff undertake housing maintenance and repairs work in social housing as well as managing the housing stock and tenant service delivery.

The dispute is said to revolve around a one per cent pay rise, at a time when the firm's highest paid director secured a 12 per cent pay hike.

Unite regional officer Colin Carr said: "These are highly skilled workers...and they are not going to accept a real terms pay cut when directors' pay is rapidly increasing."

The ballot has opened today and is set to close on Monday, November 22.

“Strike action will inevitably cause serious disruption to tenants in the weeks before Christmas but this dispute could still be resolved if Onwards returns to the negotiating table and makes a realistic pay offer," added Mr Carr.

If workers vote for industrial action then the union says strikes could begin before Christmas.

This could lead to repairs delays or planned maintenance work being postponed or cancelled, say union officials.