Strike action is “inevitable” claim union representatives as public sector pay talks disintegrate.

Brighton and Hove City Council has spent the last five weeks locked in talks as it looks to overhaul the special allowances paid to three-quarters of its 8,000-strong workforce.

But union representatives claim the proposal presented will leave hundreds of staff up to £95 a week out of pocket.

With little movement from either side, senior figures have now claimed they are gearing up for a summer strike.

This could see rubbish go uncollected and streets left unswept as hundreds of thousands of people visit the seaside resort.

Mark Turner, of the GMB, said: “At the moment, strike action is inevitable. “It’s not our aim to bring down the administration – if that happens then it will be unfortunate. We have to pro- tect our members.”

Politicians handed over talks on “modernising” overtime and allowance payments to unelected officers in January.

Since then, a series of meetings have been held.

However, unions claim the talks have been “woolly”, adding the local authority has not budged from its starting position.

With discussions now paused, The Argus can reveal the offer currently on the table would see about 80% of those affected receive roughly the same amount in wages.

However, under the plans, about 1,100 staff – including refuse staff, street sweepers and elderly care managers – will lose between £5 and £95 a week from their salary.

For a bin man on £18,000 a year, this amounts to about £4,000 a year.

In a message to members sent yesterday, Mr Turner said: “I would prepare members to get ready to defend against these cuts which could lead up to and including industrial action, to help protect those members of the GMB who will be facing these cuts by the council.”

Alex Knutsen, of Unison, said he shared the GMB’s concerns, adding: “We’re certainly considering industrial action.”

Catherine Vaughan, the council’s director of finance, said: “We are committed to reaching an agreement on a revised set of allowances that ensures a consistent pay package.

“The negotiations are currently paused to allow us to consider the discussions and advice received whilst we prepare a final offer.”