Bin collection crews, housing workers and care staff in Southampton could go on strike in a dispute over pay.

Unite members at local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rejected the local government employer’s pay offer for 2024/25.

The proposed £1,290 flat rate increase, plus 2.5 per cent on allowances, was rejected by 85 per cent of respondents, the union said.

Unite has now started balloting on full industrial action, with the possibility of strikes in the autumn.

It comes after bin collections were thrown into chaos in Southampton early this year when the authority changed refuse workers' work pattern.

Unite national officer Clare Keogh said: “Council leaders need to wake up and be aware they are facing an autumn of strikes unless local government employers return to the negotiating table and propose a vastly improved pay offer.

“Our members are heavily invested in the communities where they live and work.

“But more than a decade of real terms pay cuts mean that many are being forced to vote with their feet and seek employment elsewhere, as council pay has become so low that they can’t pay their bills.”

Pay offers are determined by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.

The initial union ballots include members at both Southampton City Council and New Forest District Council.

Southampton City Council deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and corporate services Cllr Simon Letts said: “Southampton City Council is monitoring the situation regarding the potential strike action.

“The HR team is working closely with emergency planning to review any possible impact and make appropriate plans.

“The ballot for strike action is part of national negotiations. However votes will take place council by council so not all local authorities will be effected if some staff withdraw their labour.

“Earlier this year, we actively participated in a national consultation exercise on the pay awards.”

Cllr Letts said the local authority “proactively” met with the trade unions every fortnight to discuss local matters that may arise.

He added: “Local councils have been subject to substantial budget reductions and this of course has had an impact on the wages that councils can afford to pay.”

A New Forest District Council spokesperson said: “The national pay negotiations are ongoing and we are monitoring the situation.

“We will take action to mitigate the impact on our residents should we be in a position where industrial action takes place.”