Thousands of council workers may walk out in a growing dispute over pay, including staff in Bolton.
The workers, who are members of the Unite union, are being balloted for strike action after rejecting a 3.3 per cent pay offer from national employers, arguing it amounts to a real-terms pay cut following years of below-inflation rises and pay freezes.
The offer was made without negotiations, according to the union.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: "Council workers are struggling to keep their heads above water after over a decade of pathetic pay deals.
"Employers are again trying to cut the real terms pay of workers instead of investing in our members, who do vital jobs in our communities.
"Unite will not stand by and allow our members to have another paltry pay deal inflicted on them.
"They have our full backing in their fight for fair pay."
Workers being balloted work in various council roles including waste and bin collections, street cleaners, street lighting, teaching assistants and home care staff.
As well as Bolton, the councils involved in the ballot include Great Yarmouth, North East Lincolnshire, South Tyneside, Blackburn with Darwen Borough, Cumberland, Knowsley, Liverpool City Council, Oldham, and Wirral.
Ballots are of a targeted nature and more local authorities could join the dispute at a later date.
Clare Keogh, Unite’s national officer for local authorities, said: "After years of real term pay cuts imposed without negotiations, council workers have had enough and see no option but to take action to make their voices heard.
"Strike action will have a huge impact on the council services communities depend on, but this is entirely the fault of national employers refusing to negotiate."
The ballot will run from July 16 to August 17.
Bolton Council confirmed it has contingency plans in place to minimise disruption and ensure residents can still access essential services.
According to a council spokesperson, Bolton has around 30 Unite members.
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