HUNDREDS of print workers in Nottinghamshire are set to walk out as Christmas approaches after voting for strike action today over an “insulting” pay offer.

The 260 Unite members at Paragon Customer Communications in Sutton-in-Ashfield have voted to take strike action, with 78 per cent backing the call.

Managers at the company initially refused to give any pay rise for the next financial year, but when the workers were balloted for strike action, the company responded by proposed a 1 per cent increase starting from November 1.

The workers rejected the offer and are now set to walk out before Christmas.

They said that they would be prepared to accept an increase below the retail price index (RPI) rate of inflation, which currently stands at 3.3 per cent.

Unite regional officer Larry McGlinchey said: “Unite is preparing the notice to be served on the employer outlining strike action at the company in the run-up to Christmas, following the insulting lack of a pay offer originally.”

The union has urged the management to negotiate a proper deal.

Unite East Midlands regional secretary Paresh Patel said: “The situation is not helped by macho management posturing, threatening to move the work from Nottinghamshire to other company sites in the UK and Europe. It has just strengthened our members’ resolve to seek a decent pay rise.

“Now is the time for the management to get around the table for meaningful and constructive talks to settle this dispute – Unite’s door for talks is open 24/7.”