TENS of thousands of people in York could be left without vital services, if a proposed strike by council workers gets the go ahead.

Members of the Unison trade union are being balloted nationwide, after rejecting a 2.45 per cent pay increase.

A "yes" vote will see nearly 2,500 Unison staff in York walk out, causing mass disruption across the city, with schools closing, bins going uncollected, advice offices shutting and streets going unswept.

Ben Drake, Unison branch secretary at City of York Council, said: "We would pretty much shut down all the core services."

He said: "The Government is expecting us to accept just under 2.5 per cent, when inflation is well over four per cent. Our members are not stupid - they can do the maths."

A ballot is being held now, with the result due on June 26. A strike would most likely take place over two days, during the first three weeks of July, followed by possible further action.

Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation is currently at 4.2 per cent. The alternative measure, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate - the measure used by the Bank of England - is at three per cent.

Council chiefs today said that, if a strike did go ahead, they would strive to ensure essential services, such as care for vulnerable people, continued.

A spokeswoman said: "At this stage we can't say exactly what the implications of a possible strike would be. However, the council would look to negotiate a number of exemptions with Unison so that life and limb' services can still be provided. We would then undertake a contingency planning exercise to keep any disruption to residents and services to a minimum."

Council leader Andrew Waller said: "We have always had good relations with Unison in the city. We would want to maintain key services during any dispute as our concerns are with any vulnerable residents."

The offer consists of a 2.45 per cent rise, plus £100 extra for the lowest three grades, said the Local Government Employers (LGE).

Brian Baldwin, chair of the employers' side of the National Joint Council, said: "If the pay settlement is set too high, councils will be forced into making unpalatable choices between cutting front line services and laying off staff. Neither unions nor employers want either of these options. This final offer is fair, affordable and consistent with the Government's current public sector pay policy."