Thousands of Leeds City Council workers have signalled they are ready to strike in a long-running dispute over equal pay.
Almost 2,500 workers took part in an indicative ballot run by the GMB Union, with 94% voting in favour of industrial action.
The ballot followed the council's acknowledgement of an equal pay dispute, under which women have been systematically underpaid for the work they do.
The GMB will now open a formal strike ballot in the coming days.
Julie Wynn, GMB Senior Organiser, described the result as ‘an overwhelming mandate’ and warned the council must make a serious offer or face ‘mass disruption to services across the city’.
A council spokesperson said the local authority had taken a constructive approach and settled some elements of the claims last year. However, they warned ‘complex legal issues’ remain unresolved.
‘It is incumbent on us, as a responsible local authority, to do our utmost to avoid a situation where – by accepting any terms that would place an undue burden on our finances – we are forced to consider job cuts and drastic rises in council tax,’ the spokesperson said.
‘We will therefore continue to seek a settlement that is fair and realistic, and would once again stress that we are open to further discussions with the GMB to try to find common ground on this important matter.’
