Workers at global business information publisher Lexis Nexis have voted to strike in a bid to force the company to improve an “unacceptable” pay offer.
The company has offered 3% or £1,100, whichever is greater, which union reps describe as “unfair”.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said this would mean staff who earned more than £24,000 will receive a pay rise below the current rate of inflation.
Talks to resolve the dispute at conciliation service Acas broke down without agreement.
The NUJ’s magazine and book sector organiser Sue Harris said: “The union believes staff should be better rewarded, including those higher up the [pay] scale.
“The union’s impression is that the company is not serious about negotiating, it is simply trying to spread the same amount of money around – just a little more thinly.”
A spokesman for LexisNexis said: “We have had a number of constructive meetings with the NUJ and discussions about remuneration are still ongoing.
“We are confident we can work with the NUJ to resolve this issue and reach a speedy conclusion that will benefit our employees.”