The pay dispute at St Ives over annual wage increases looks set to break out into strike action, according to GPMU president Ray Williams.


He said: "The ballot at Caerphilly started yesterday and I am confident that we will get a good result. I have no doubt that it will involve a strike at Caerphilly, and this will mean cranking it up elsewhere."


He was also confident that members would ballot at Plymouth if negotiations there tomorrow with St Ives were unsuccessful.
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Williams claimed that St Ives' financial results, released today were "the best ever", and needed to be taken into account when considering the pay demand.


"St Ives has seen a profit increase every year for the 10 past years. It has reported profits this year of 68.8m compared to 60.1m last year - a 14.5% increase in pre-tax profits which has gone beyond their budget forecast. Our members are saying that they've contributed towards this significantly and should be recognised by the company."


Williams will attend further negotiations in Roche, Cornwall, next week.


St Ives managing director Brian Edwards declined to comment.


Story by Eloise Seddon