The threat of the first strike by Sussex council workers since the 1979 winter of discontent came a step closer when a national three per cent pay offer was rejected.
The result increases the prospect of a ballot for industrial action among local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Transport and General Workers Union said its members had voted by ninety-five per cent to reject the employers' final offer and to support an industrial action ballot.
The GMB union is expecting its members to reject the offer overwhelmingly.
Strikes could affect all council services that have not been contracted out.
Refuse collection in Brighton and Hove would not be affected because staff are covered by a different agreement.
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