YOUTH workers in Halton look likely to take strike action tomorrow after a proposed pay rise entitled them to just 30p an hour extra.
Members of the Community and Youth Workers' Union (CYWU) voted almost nine to one in favour of industrial action in a nationwide ballot a fortnight ago.
On Tuesday the decision was ratified at a rally in London and one-day strikes are due to be held at the borough's youth centres tomorrow.
Halton CYWU spokesman Bob Allen said his members were sick of being underpaid and undervalued.
He claimed the borough last year received £1.6m from the Government to fund youth projects but Halton had earmarked only £897,337 to the service.
Mr Allen told the Weekly News: 'For the first time in its history members of the union will take selective industrial action, including a one-day strike, if there is no progress in pay negotiations.
'We are asking for a substantial pay rise for the skilled and demanding work we do, an advanced practitioner grade for the most experienced face-to-face staff and no dumbing down of professional qualifications.'
Mr Allen also claimed youth services in Runcorn and Widnes were understaffed.
He said: 'To achieve the Government target of one full-time youth worker for every 400 young people, Halton would need to employ a further 11 staff in addition to the existing 19.'
The union said workload had increased by a third and councils can afford a 10% pay rise rather than the 3% on the table.
General secretary Doug Nicholls said: 'Many of our members work with young people who earn more than them.'
The union claims most youth workers start on a salary £4,000 lower than the average newly qualified teacher.
