Felixstowe bin collectors have voted to go on strike after 96% of their workers voted in favour of action to fight for a living wage.

Their union, Unison, said the overwhelming decision was made by an 88% of refuse collectors working for East Suffolk Norse, which is contracted out by part of East Suffolk Council.

Although a date for the industrial action has not yet been decided, Unison hopes the council will improve its offer of a nationally agreed £1,925 rise promised to other local government workers, plus an extra 75p an hour, to avoid strikes.

Unison has said workers are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, coming after more than a decade of below-inflation pay deals, with many now making just above the minimum wage, andsome forced to sleep on friends' sofas and take out loans to pay the bills because they cannot make ends meet.

Bin workers, including those working in the Felixstowe area, have said they want a pay rise to put them in line with refuse workers under different authorities, as well as contractual sick pay.

Unison Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: "No-one can doubt refuse workers' commitment to keeping east Suffolk running – they've gone out in all weathers and through a global pandemic in the last decade but have still seen the value of their wages fall and fall.

"This offer may seem good on paper but it still leaves workers just above the poverty line.

"None of them want to go on strike and cause disruption to residents but bosses' thanks haven't put food on the table.

"We urge Norse and East Suffolk to come up with an offer that addresses the rock-bottom wages on this contract and treat refuse staff with the dignity they deserve."