WORKERS at housing provider Golden Gates are considering strike action in an ongoing dispute over pay.

Staff at Golden Gates Housing Trust and Helena Partnership Limited, both part of the Torus Housing Group, will be balloted on taking action after their employer walked away from pay negotiations.

According to union bosses, workers at Torus have not had a pay rise in two years, with their employer now 'seeking to impose a real-terms pay cut' – despite the offer being rejected by staff.

They were offered a two-year deal with a 1.5 per cent pay increase in the first year and two per cent in the second year.

Inflation is currently 3.5 five per cent, a position union chiefs have called 'unsatisfactory'.

Jason Horan, from Unison, said: "Staff have been through a really turbulent time.

"Redundancies have meant an increased workload for the remaining workforce and a longer working week. Pay has been frozen and terms and conditions have been cut.

"The staff do very important work – ensuring housing is in good condition, making repairs, and managing lettings efficiently. They are very committed to serving the public.

"But things have been too bad for too long. Staff are saying that is enough is enough. They are not prepared to accept a further attack on their living standards.

"Unison is hugely disappointed that the employer has walked away from negotiations and decided to impose the pay award, contrary to the express wish of staff."

A spokesman for Torus said: "Torus has been in discussions with its trade union representatives since November 2016.

"A number of enhanced offers have been made and subsequently rejected during this 16-month period.

"The two-year pay award offer is fair and proportionate, in line with housing sector pay reviews and above the public sector pay cap.

"Our approach protects the needs of our customers and communities and allows us to manage our business costs in a responsible way to avoid the need for job losses in the future.

"In recent weeks there has been increasing feedback from staff who would like to receive the new rates and back pay.

"Taking this into account, the board of Torus made the decision to implement the pay award based on the most recent offer made."