YORK Nestl workers are braced for industrial action after rejecting a pay offer, it was revealed today.

About 100 staff in the Wigginton Road factory's warehouse and distribution section reacted angrily at being offered less than other departments.

The workers, who are demanding a pay increase of 3.6 per cent, voted overwhelmingly to reject the company's offer of 2.9 per cent, which is below the rate of inflation. One of the workers called the offer "disgraceful".

A secret postal ballot is being organised by their union, the GMB, which will now decide whether they take industrial action.

Local GMB organiser John Kirk revealed that other sections of the factory were given a pay increase above the rate of inflation earlier this year.

He said: "Although they're (distribution) only a small group we don't feel they are being treated equally compared to the rest of the factory".

A Nestl distribution worker, who asked not to be named, said: "Relations with management have never been worse. We're totally demoralised, because they don't seem to respect the workforce."

The worker said distribution staff were paid in the region of £23,000pa for a 46-hour week, but can earn more than £28,000 with overtime.

The results of the secret ballot will be announced within the next few weeks.

A Nestl spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Nestl is currently in discussions with workers at our distribution centre in York and with GMB representatives. These discussions are of an ongoing nature".

Updated: 10:03 Monday, December 06, 2004