The T&G lodged claims for some of the council's lowest paid staff

The ballot of staff comes despite a deal on back-pay claims lodged by some of the council's lowest paid workers.

An appeals committee meeting was suspended for further negotiation on about 500 claims, worth more than �5m.

The Transport and General Workers Union said the council was dragging its feet and will ballot on industrial action.

The council narrowly avoided strikes by staff last year over equal pay.

It is end game for the council because they have dragged their heels for long enough - they have blown it Tommy Campbell T&G

The T&G lodged claims for back pay on behalf of some of the council's lowest paid workers.

The staff, mainly female catering, cleaning, clerical and care workers, claimed they were owed money because of equal pay legislation, some worth up to �25,000.

Spokesman Tommy Campbell said: "We wanted to address the bonus issue at today's hearing and its suspension has infuriated our members.

"The council are claiming they made the decision before Christmas to offer payments but we have had no clear details about that.

"It is end game for the council because they have dragged their heels for long enough - they have blown it."

Talks plea

Mr Campbell added that the T&G had also lodged a number of employment tribunal claims.

Appeals committee chairman Gordon Leslie said the council had done everything possible to sort out the back-pay issue.

A council spokesman added that the authority had entered negotiations with unions over interim payments and the hearing had been suspended while the details were worked out.

He said that he hoped the unions would take part in the discussions and that there would be no need for strike action or tribunals.