WORKERS at a Great Harwood engineering depot are deciding whether to go on strike for a pay rise.

Mains layers and road resurfacers walked out for one day in February, saying they had not had a pay rise for two years.

Bosses at the plant offered a bonus scheme but workers have consistently said a pay rise must be the starting point.

Workers and management met to try and solve the matter but the stalemate continued, and in a hand count union workers voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike. A subsequent internal postal ballot resulted in a 98 per cent vote for industrial action.

The union has now opened a postal ballot for strike action, giving workers until Tuesday to make their views known.

Neil Holden, regional officer for the GMB Union, which represents 130 of the company's employees across the north west, said: "We informed the company at the beginning of May that if they didn't get back to us by a set date, we would be balloting members.

"They keep reiterating they have no money for a pay rise, while repeating offers for a bonus scheme. It's the same argument over and over again.

"The lads have had enough but their resolve has hardened. They think the company is messing them about.

The GMB requires a 66 per cent vote for industrial action before a strike can begin, but is still fighting for recognition from the company.

A company spokesman said: "The company is unable to offer a pay increase at this time, but recognises the aspirations of staff and is keen to continue its discussions on the introduction of the productivity bonus scheme as a means of increasing the earnings of individuals."