Council staff voted by three to one in favour of action

Staff at the city council were balloted over industrial action after the council announced a pay review.

Unions claim some people could lose as much as �18,000 per year. The council has said 45% of staff could get a "considerable increase".

The first strike, which could affect all council departments, is scheduled to go ahead on 5 February.

'Last resort'

Councillor Alan Rudge said: "Of our 41,000 employees affected by the fair pay and grading review, which aims to even out decades of unfair, over-inflated and inconsistent pay, just around 10 per cent of staff - 4,462 people - have voted to strike.

"The review was agreed by unions at a national level and it has been discussed every step of the way with unions locally."

Unison regional secretary, Valerie Broom, said: "The result of today's ballot shows just how angry and frustrated UNISON members in Birmingham are.

"Taking strike action is always the last resort, but the decision to impose grossly unfair new contracts has come as a hammer blow to staff and their families."