Strike action is possible by bin collectors on the Isle of Wight says GMB Union, which claims experienced Isle of Wight workers are being offered the same rate as mainland trainees. 

Workers employed by Amey are to be balloted for possible industrial action after what the union called a below-inflation pay rise.

The union claims some workers were told if they wanted better pay, they should travel to the mainland. 

A strike ballot opens on May 13 and closes on May 27. 

The Isle of Wight County Press has asked the Isle of Wight Council and Amey for a comment.

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Adrian Baker, GMB Regional Organiser, said:"Our Island members are subject to the same inflation, interest rate rises, national insurance levels and all other increases employees across the country are subject to.  

"It is hardly a surprise that Isle of Wight residents are second from bottom in the South of England when it comes to average pay earnings, when an employer directly linked to the council thinks it can get away with this."  

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GMB Union says its members want a pay rise that reflects the cost of living and it has asked leading councillors if they condone the pay rates for some of the Island's refuse teams. 

GMB Union said: "The message in all of this is very simple: Island employees should not be forced by any employer into a choice of either accepting low rates of pay or told to get on a boat to provide for their families."