WORKERS at a Runcorn factory are threatening to go on strike.

GMB members at Saint Gobain Isover on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay.

After months of talks, pay negotiations broke down without agreement.

Union leaders say redundancies and shift changes introduced over the past 15 months have left employees stressed and exhausted.

GMB senior organiser Terry Mellor said: “Our members have been working flat out since the company introduced a new shift system last year that has them working extra hours without any additional pay and without adequate holiday entitlement.

“It is no coincidence that sickness levels have increased and many of our members are now at breaking point.

“The company’s take it or leave it offer falls short of what our members believe is fair, particularly given all their efforts and the huge increase in production.”

The company made a final offer of a 2 per cent increase.

A spokesperson for Isover said: “We remain absolutely committed to resolving the pay and working hours’ dispute as soon as possible.

“Whilst the company disagrees with the GMB member’s claim that the current shift pattern is in breach of the working time regulations, we have established a working party to look at the introduction of a shift pattern that will suit all parties better and ultimately resolve the dispute.”

The company said it recognises GMB members’ legitimate right to take industrial action but does not believe that this is the best way forward.

The spokesman added: “Building collaborative and meaningful relationships with all employees is very much in line with our principles of conduct and action.

“We will continue to work closely with GMB representatives to resolve the dispute.”

The result of the ballot will be announced on July 6.