The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have announced that their members in passport offices are to vote on strike action after rejecting a pay offer of 5.6% because it had “too many strings attached”.

Voting on the strike action is due to begin this Thursday and end on 21st March. Any resulting strike action could begin before the Easter holidays.

The union has been pressing for an average pay increase of 7%.

“We want to avoid strike action if possible but our members are very determined that they should be treated fairly,” said union negotiator Frank Campbell.

Talks with employers are expected to continue through the ballot action.