AN UNION official has warned residents in the Valleys that they could "be up to their knees in rubbish" by the end of the summer because of possible strike action over pay.

Mike Payne, regional organiser for the GMB union, said members in the street cleansing department of Caerphilly county borough council would be balloted next week on taking industrial action.

He warned that the threatened strike by litter pickers because of a reduction in bonus pay for staff employed after January, 2001, could involve refuse collectors by the end of the summer.

The dispute concerns newer staff who, it is claimed, are missing out on around £20 a week bonus compared to colleagues who began working for the authority before January, 2001.

Mr Payne said the measure was introduced by council officials "through the back door" when a clause was inserted into contracts unbeknown to the union.

He added that staff, who start on £5.35 an hour, are now ready to take industrial action to resolve the matter.

The 72 out of 80 staff working in the street cleansing department who are members of the GMB will be balloted next Tuesday on taking action. The ballot will run for a week and the results will be known on June 11. If the ballot is in favour of industrial action, the union could call for anything from a ban on working over-time to an all-out strike.

"If street litter is not picked up, residents of Caerphilly county borough will be knee deep in it by the end of August," said Mr Payne.

"All we want is for all of our members to be treated fairly and equally and I don't think that is too much to ask for.

"Staff are saying they have been losing £20 a week for the last three weeks and enough is enough.

He added: "If I have to bring all of our members into this, which includes refuse collectors, then I will."

A spokesman for Caerphilly county borough council said: "We have received notification that a ballot is to be held. Further discussions on the issue are due to take place in the near future. "At this time there is nothing further to add."