Bolton council and school support workers are to start voting on whether to take strike action over pay.

Members of the public service trade union, Unison are to take part in a national ballot in a dispute over their pay.

A ballot of Unison members has opened after the union said an offer of £1,290 from local government employers fell short of what council employees need.

Phil Chanin, chair of Bolton Unison Branch said: “Over the past 14 years, council and school workers have seen their pay fall further and further behind. Pay awards in local government have been worse than those in the private sector and the economy as a whole. Living costs have spiralled, yet pay in councils and schools has lost nearly a third of its value. We believe that now is the time for us to stand together for better pay”

Phil added: “The joint trade unions, Unison, GMB and Unite submitted a joint pay claim to the local government employers for £3,000 or 10 per cent whichever is the greater.

"Their offer of just £1,290 came as a kick in teeth. We have a great many members who are low paid and struggle to cover the rent or the mortgage every week. It shouldn’t be this way. Our members provide key services that communities rely on and value, they deserve a much better deal. We urge all members to have their say and vote in this ballot. Members have already voted overwhelmingly to reject the current offer, the next step is this vote on possible strike action. Members are being asked vote yes to prepare for industrial action to secure better pay. Ultimately everyone should takes part and vote, whatever their views”.

Local government workers across England, Northern Ireland and Wales have been offered a pay rise of £1,290, this would be less for those who work part time or term-time only. National Joint Council for Local Government Services pay arrangements between Unison, Unite, GMB and the local government employers cover 1.5 million workers in councils and schools. Separate pay negotiations cover council and schools workers in Scotland.

Unison Ballot papers have been sent out to the home addresses of union members.

Unison said it has also been superseded by deals achieved by other public sector workers.

READ MORE: Bolton Unison recommends members to reject pay offer

Union considers extending strike ballot to all its council workers over pay

The ballot runs until mid-October and will include social workers, teaching assistants, refuse collectors, caretakers, planning officers and other staff at more than 4,000 organisations.

Unison’s head of local government, Mike Short, said: “Local government finances are in a dire state, but that doesn’t mean staff should be denied a fair pay rise after 14 years of austerity and low wages. Employers still have time to come back with a better offer.

“Central government also needs to assist employers by providing stable, long-term funding settlements that allow councils and schools to retain expert staff and protect the vital services on which our communities rely.”

Anyone UNISON member covered by the strike vote who has not received their union ballot or has misplaced it, can request a replacement ballot paper via the ballot hotline on 0800 0857 857 which will be open from September 17 until October 9 at noon.