MORE than 160 staff at a Hampshire factory could come out on strike if pay negotiations set to start today are unsuccessful.

Members of Unite union working for the energy and telecoms cable manufacturer Prysmian (formerly Pirelli) in Eastleigh are set to start a work to rule on Tuesday in dispute over pay, which could escalate to a 48-hour strike starting on November 13.

Almost a month ago workers turned down the offer of a one per cent pay rise, described as paltry.

Management said they would come back with an alternative two-year pay year deal which, Unite says, has not been forthcoming and the union has accused the bosses of dragging their feet.

Unite representatives are due to meet with the company’s management today in an effort to hammer out an improved pay offer and avoid industrial action.

The meeting follows an overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action, with 84 per cent backing strike action on a turnout of 82 per cent.

Unite has 167 members on the shopfloor, where there are around 200 employed, including agency staff.

Unite regional officer Debbie Watson said: “Workers at Prysmian have grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of urgency being shown by bosses and aggrieved by the paltry one per cent pay offer.

“They have worked hard to ensure that Prysmian’s Eastleigh site is profitable and are ready to take action to secure a pay rise which properly reflects their contribution in making the company a success.

“We urge bosses at Prysmian to stop dragging their feet and come forward with a meaningful pay offer with recognises the hard work of the workforce.”

Staff on the shopfloor have not received a pay increase since January 2015 2015 when they were given a two year deal worth 2.1 per cent.

The Italian-owned company recently invested in the Chickenhall Lane plant, which works seven days per week, to increase production of FP (fire performance) range of cables by up to 20 per cent.

In 2013 the site was visited by both the then Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne during the Eastleigh by election campaign.

During his visit Mr Cameron addressed 300 workers and opened a new £2m high-voltage lab The Prysmian Group recently announced global adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) of £347m for the first half of 2 016 which was 10.5per cent up on the same period in 2015.

At time of going to press Prysmian were unavailable for comment.