STRIKE action could hit Basingstoke after public service union UNISON called on its members to stage a one-day walkout over a pension dispute.

Government plans for a shake-up in the way public sector pensions are paid - and the age at which they can be drawn - have triggered anger among the unions who believe the measures would leave workers out of pocket.

The majority of workers affected in the town are employed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, but there are also union members at Basingstoke hospital too - although there has been no indication workers there would join industrial action.

Andy Straker, regional UNISON officer, revealed at a meeting at the borough council last week that the union is gearing up for a head-on battle with the Government.

And today they will start ballot action which could lead to strikes as early as next month.

Mr Straker told members gathered at the meeting on Thursday: "On Monday, February 14, you thought you were going to get a card. Well we are not that loving at UNISON - you get a ballot paper.

"The voting process will run through to March 9 and we are hoping that members will vote for industrial action. If that's the case, there will be a one-day industrial action on March 23."

The planned pension changes are due to come into force on April 1. It will see the age UNISON members can claim a full pension rise from 60 to 65 years old.

The age at which workers can claim a reduced pension is also set to rise from 50 to 55 years old.

But the possible strike action could be averted if the Government reopens pension negotiations, Mr Straker said.

He added: "All we want them to do is withdraw the regulations for April 1 and have real dialogue with us.

"If we can get that before, then we won't have to have the one-day strike."

With members across Britain, Mr Straker left no doubt about the potential impact of the strike.

He said: "If we do take industrial action, this could be one of the biggest industrial actions this country has seen in years."

Even though UNISON members working as civilian support staff for the police have opted out of industrial action due to the serious impact it could have on the service, a oneday strike would still make day-to-day life very difficult in Basingstoke.

"We are talking about libraries closing, we are talking about your bins not being emptied, we are talking about no one being able to contact the council for a day," Mr Straker said after the meeting.

"A lot of people might not notice their bin has not been emptied, but there are other people who use the council to pay council tax or get housing benefits and all of those would be delayed."

Martin Tubbs, UNISON secretary at the borough council, admitted strike action was possible - even though it goes against the grain for people whose job it is to help the public.

He said: "Personally, I'm not very happy about the new pension proposals.

"I feel for people who can't retire with a secure future and I think it's difficult for a lot of people to think about what the future may have in store for them.

"We do not like taking strike action but if we think it's appropriate, we'll do it.

"Obviously we don't like to lose money and some of our members can't afford to do that.

"Also as public sector employees, we don't like making life difficult for the public."

Borough council chief executive Gordon Holdcroft said he was fully aware that strike action could be on the cards.

He said: "This is a national rather than a local issue, but we are aware that staff feel strongly about it.

"We have a very good working relationship with the union and we are sure they will keep us well informed."