ANGRY workers have threatened to ballot for industrial action amid savage budget cuts at Southampton City Council.

Civic chiefs have revealed that all 4,180 non-teaching staff face a 5.4 per cent pay cut through reduced hours.

And up to 250 jobs will go at the authority next year to help balance a £62m budget black hole over four years.

Now, members of Unison at the council are threatening action if changes in working conditions are imposed on them.

In a unanimous resolution, they have told council leaders the cut backs are unnecessary and that members would campaign with trade unions and community groups to defend services.

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Branch secretary Mike Tucker said: “There is obviously a great deal of anger.

“The people of Southampton should not have to pay for the mistakes of the bankers. “Council workers are determined to defend local services and ensure that the vulnerable do not pay for the bankers crisis.”

The response comes just days after council leader Royston Smith announced that those who lose their jobs at the authority could work at a planned new discount warehouse.

But Cllr Smith believes a host of positions will be created across a broad range of sectors when the council’s Sea City Museum opens and following the completion of the Watermark WestQuay hotel, cinema and retail development.

He also pointed to the conference and community centre at Eastpoint and the arrival of Hovercraft maker Griffon Hoverworks in Woolston.