The GMB union said some workers employed by Aspire Housing are losing over £5,000 per year, face cuts to sick pay, removal of paid allowances, and on top of that are being asked to work extra hours.

GMB members employed by the housing association will take strike action on Monday 20th July over plans to dismiss maintenance workers and re-engage them on worse terms and conditions after voting for action in a ballot that closed earlier this month.

Aspire Housing manages around 8,500 properties mainly in Newcastle-under-Lyme, but also in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and South Cheshire. It also manages around 500 properties for Stoke-on-Trent Housing Society.

Colin Griffiths, GMB organiser, said: “GMB members will take strike action on Monday 20th July over Aspire Housing attacks on terms and conditions.

“Some workers are losing over £5,000 per year, face cuts to sick pay, removal of paid allowances, and on top of that some are being asked to work extra hours.

“Aspire Housing talk about consulting with trade unions - as far as the GMB are concerned, this process has been smoke screens and mirrors and nothing to do with improvements to the service but all about saving money on wages and pensions.

“GMB is urging local councillors, MP’s and the general public to support Aspire’s maintenance workers fight for social justice.”

Aspire Housing, part of the Aspire Group, said it has received confirmation from UCATT, GMB and Unite that their members in the maintenance teams will take individual days of industrial action starting on Monday 20, Friday 24, Monday 27 and Friday 31 of July.

It added: “We are currently undergoing a transformation of our maintenance service, in the future ‘Aspire Response’ will deliver customer-focus, high performance and greater value for money.

“Our operating hours will be extended from 1 October 2015 offering our customers a wider choice of appointments for a tradesman to visit their home.

“Should industrial action go ahead we have robust contingency plans in place to ensure services to our customers are not adversely affected.”