A BALLOT for industrial action is expected to begin today at a Teesside plastics factory that could see its workers strike for the first time in the plant's history.

A total of 127 staff at British Polythene Industries (BPI) Stockton, also known as Visqueen, have been sent ballot forms after pay talks collapsed in acrimony.

Workers will vote whether to support strike action and an overtime ban at the site in Yarm Road.

A final round of peace talks took place two weeks ago, but failed to resolve the long-running pay dispute.

Workers are seeking a three per cent pay increase, but BPI bosses have refused to increase a previous 2.8 per cent offer.

They have now imposed a backdated 2.5 per cent rise.

The ballot will take about two weeks to complete.

If workers vote for industrial action, union officials must give management at least one week's notice before calling a strike.

Union officials have predicted that strikes could go ahead as early as the middle of next month.

Joe Keith, of the Transport and General Workers Union, which represents more than 180 staff at the plant, said: "This really is a case of members saying enough is enough. Whether that transpires into votes for industrial action remains to be seen."

Pay talks between workers and management at the factory, which makes polythene sacks and packing materials, have been going on since July, when staff voted overwhelmingly to reject a 2.5 per cent pay offer.

BPI bosses said the company was unable to meet workers' demands and said the firm's offer was fair and reasonable.