Disruption looms for motorists on the M25, with around 150 maintenance workers set to vote on a strike over pay.
The Balfour Beatty workers will begin balloting this week, with a vote closing on March 12. Industrial action is "expected soon after" voting has been completed.
According to the Unite union, the workers - who are responsible for the maintenance of the entire M25 - are angry at Balfour Beatty’s pay offer of 3.4 per cent.
With the real rate of inflation at 4.9 per cent, this equates to a real terms pay cut, the union says.
Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Balfour Beatty is an immensely profitable company that can afford to put forward an offer that reflects rising living costs.
"Its M25 workers have Unite’s total backing in demanding a fair pay rise.”
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Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone added: “Balfour Beatty can stop this dispute escalating and causing disruption to the smooth running of the M25 by tabling an acceptable offer. It has more than enough profits to do that.”
When approached for comment, a Balfour Beatty spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with Unite the union to reach an appropriate outcome.
“As these discussions remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
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