The dispute is due to Birmingham council’s decision to impose new contracts on the vast majority of its workforce. Under the new arrangements, the union claims,workers are set to face large reductions in their pay.

Tensions are running particularly high at the council as the Conservative/Lib Dem administration have pressed ahead with the contract changes and have refused to come to an individual or collective agreement on their proposals.

Steve Murphy, regional secretary of Ucatt Midlands Region, said: “The heavy handed arrogant manner in which Birmingham council has imposed these new contracts, have left Ucatt with no option but to ballot our members for industrial action”.

The deadline for ballot papers to be returned is 28th January. If members vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could begin as early as 4th February.