PUBLIC services in and around Stroud look set to descend into chaos after Stroud District Council staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

Ballots were still being counted as the SNJ went to press, but public sector worker's union UNISON, which represents over half of the council's 615 employees, confirmed that over 80 per cent of its members have agreed to the walk out.

The row over pay and conditions began when council chiefs demanded workers sign new contracts or lose their jobs as part of a drive to improve efficiency.

Now UNISON has one week to officially notify management and the strike will begin within the next 28 days.

Christina Cook, UNISON's south west regional officer, said the 'Yes' vote demonstrated the strength of feeling among members.

"Everyone from the bin men to middle management are on board," she said. "We have UNISON members at every level.

"This overwhelming 'yes' vote speaks volumes about how staff are feeling. "At the end of the day this is peoples' lives we are talking about.

"We just want management to get back to the negotiating table so both parties can reach a compromise."

And she said the union had advised all its members not to sign the new contracts.

"We have already had people refuse to sign their contracts and we are just waiting for the dismissal notices," she said.

"We will fight every unfair dismissal."

Nigel Riglar, SDC's strategic director, said he could not comment on the situation until he had received official notification of the forthcoming strike from UNISON.