HUNDREDS of workers in Greenock employed by communications giant BT are currently voting on whether to go on strike over a pay dispute.

The company runs the EE call centre at Cartsburn, which is one of the largest employers in Inverclyde.

Staff claim that their current level of pay does not reflect inflation or the increased financial strain caused by the current cost of living crisis.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU), who represent workers from BT, Openreach and EE have sent out ballot papers asking their members whether they are willing to go on strike.

According to a representative of the union, talks over pay increases with the company have stalled, after an initial grant of £1,500 was awarded to workers earlier in the year.

If the vote backs a walkout, then strike action could happen later this year according to the CWU.

Their spokesperson told the Telegraph: "Communications workers were key workers during the pandemic where broadband access and a well functioning mobile network were more important than ever.

"Strike action is always the last resort for workers but it's only fair that if a company makes profit, as BT did during the pandemic, that workers receive acknowledgement for their contribution."

Voting closes on June 30, after which an internal union consultation process will begin to decide the next steps.