More than 80 HGV drivers working for industry supplier Cemex have voted in favour of strike action.

The 82 employees voted 87% in favour of industrial action due to a dispute over their pay and conditions. The drivers had previously rejected a deal which offered a 1.6% increase on pay and allowances backdated to 1 July 2016.

As a result, a continuous work to rule will begin on Monday, 22 May followed by an initial 24-hour strike on Friday, 26 May.

Union Unite said the strike could see major construction projects in the UK affected due to a shortage of materials, including work at Heathrow and the Mersey Gateway.

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The drivers are based at four depots: Rugby, Warwickshire; Tilbury, Essex; Barton-on-Humber, north Lincolnshire; and Newport, south Wales.

Adrian Jones, Unite national officer for road transport, said: "Cemex was warned that members were never going to accept a pay offer which was effectively a real terms pay cut. The overwhelming yes vote has proved this is the case.

"Cemex still has time to avert this dispute by returning to the negotiating table and making an offer which meets our members' expectations and properly rewards them for their skills, dedication and hard work.

"If Cemex doesn't act and this dispute goes ahead it will create chaos throughout the construction industry. Sites will swiftly run out of materials which will create delays throughout the entire project."

(LM)