MORE than 1,000 workers will stage a one-day strike in Liverpool on Monday to protest against pay.
The 1,200 Health and Safety Executive employees, based in Bootle, will take part in a national walk-out after talks broke down between senior management and unions.
They have refused to except the offer of a 0.5% annual pay increase, which they claim will leave some members gaining just £1.57 extra per week.
Steve Farley, negotiations office for the Public Commercial Services Union in the North West, said the organisation had taken too long to come to an agreement.
He said: "The annual rise was due in October. We asked for no less than 2% but they weren't prepared to budge. More than 1,000 people will now go on strike in Bootle on Monday, followed by working to rule."
Those taking part in the industrial action will include administration and managerial staff.
Inspectors, including those who investigate rail crashes, factories and nuclear power stations, will be refusing to attend appointments during the 24-hour period.
Mr Farley added: "This will have a knock-on effect as the Health & Safety Executive works to catch up."
A meeting between senior management and unions PCS and Prospect failed to come to an agreement despite intervention by mediator organisation Acas. More than 4,000 staff are expected to strike across the UK.
A spokesman for the Health & Safety Executive said: "We believe industrial action solves nothing.
"The current pay offer honours the committment made to staff in 2003."
