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Union Unite has called a strike ballot of up to 6,000 electrical workers over the ongoing bitter dispute over proposed changes to their pay and conditions.

A union spokesperson said the ballot - by far the largest in construction for five years - will be held 鈥渨ithin a few weeks鈥�.

The action is being taken after eight of the industry鈥檚 largest electrical contractors 鈥� including Balfour Beatty and NG Bailey 鈥� agreed to ditch a 40-year-old wage agreement between employers and workers in favour of drawing up a new agreement.

Unite said the ballot will initially be targeted at Balfour Beatty workers, as it is seen as the 鈥渞ing-leader鈥� behind the proposed wages changes.

Protests against the move are set to enter their ninth week tomorrow, with demonstrations planned outside Balfour Beatty鈥檚 Blackfriars station site in London and Manchester town hall.

Unite national officer, Bernard McAulay said: 鈥淲e believe Balfour Beatty is the main aggressor among a group of companies trying to bully their workers into signing away their livelihoods so Unite is therefore balloting them first. We have warned them repeatedly that their greed will bring mayhem to an industry desperately trying to steer a path through the recession, but they refuse to listen.

鈥淭he failure of the senior management at Balfour Beatty to withdraw the threats of dismissal has left Unite with no choice than to prepare for an industrial action ballot with Balfour Beatty, the ring-leader of these break-away firms.

鈥淭his is a vastly profitable company. It has no need whatsoever to rob its employees in order to satisfy its shareholders. Perhaps the threat of strike action will bring Balfour Beatty to its senses and back to the negotiating table.鈥�