The States made an offer of a 2.4% increase over a year, or 2.5% over two years. Nearly 80% of staff rejected it.

Union representative Nick Corbel said his members dismissed the offer in their recent meeting, and the authorities would have to think again.

Treasury Minister Terry le Sueur said he was disappointed, but that budgets had already been allocated and there was no more money available.

The pay offer was in line with States policy of pegging public sector wages to the rate of inflation.

Mr Corbel, of the Transport and General Workers Union, said he hoped to meet Mr le Sueur and Mick Pinel, who are both in charge of the States pay offers, to discuss it further.

But he warned they would have to accept the strength of feeling among his members.

Mr Le Sueur said the issue would be discussed with the new Employment Board.