If action goes ahead, it would mean three of the publisher's biggest plants were at odds with the company, with employees at its Oldham site already two months into action.

While the action at Oldham is based on a 1.5% wage increase offered in November 2011, which was lower than the 2% the other Trinity plants had received, Watford and Glasgow are set to take action over a complete pay freeze for this year.

According to Unite a consultative ballot has already taken place at each of the sites, with an official ballot to take place within the next three weeks.

Unite national officer Steve Sibbald said that individual plants would be taking action on their own, rather than combined, as they did in 2009 when the company last implemented a pay freeze.

Industrial action was averted at the last minute in 2009 when the company agreed to negotiate with individual facilities.

A statement from Trinity Mirror said: "We understand that Unite intend to ballot for industrial action at two of our nine sites, but as yet we have not received official notification.

"We are disappointed that Unite has adopted this out of date approach which does nothing to address the very real and growing cost pressures in our industry."

The news of industrial action comes a week after it was announced that chief executive Sly Bailey is to step down at the end of the year.