NEWPORT dock workers are to vote on strike action over pay, as the possibility of the first national dock strike in 14 years looms.

The Transport and General Workers' Union is balloting members at all Associated British Ports.

Dockers, drivers and port workers at the company's 21 UK ports, which include Newport, Barry and Cardiff, recently rejected a 2.9 per cent pay offer.

The TGWU's organiser for transport, Graham Stevenson has described the offer as "wholly inadequate."

The union says it is seeking to establish a minimum wage of £7.50 an hour for all port employees and £10 an hour for drivers and says it's willing to hold a full national strike ballot to make progress.

Associated British Ports claims it has not received any communication from the TGWU regarding the balloting of ABP members.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "Under this agreement fewer than 300 employees out of a total of 3,000 are subject to collective bargaining."

But the company says it seeks to maintain an "open dialogue" with employees and union representatives.

Graham Stevenson, the union's national officer for transport, said: "This sends a very clear message to ABP that our members are serious about fighting back this year to win realistic and meaningful improvements to wages and conditions.

"We are looking to raise not just the standard of living of our members but to bring employment conditions into the 21st century. If it takes a national strike ballot to make progress, then so be it."

The union is seeking a minimum hourly rate of £7.50, a one-hour reduction in the working week to 38 hours and improvements to holidays and parental leave.