Greater Manchester's trams could come to a standstill as early as next month with workers to vote on whether to start strike action.

Unite the Union said around 600 of the workers were unsatisfied with their pay offer of 4.5 per cent from Keolis-Amey Metrolink.

From Monday and for two weeks they are to vote on whether to start strike action and, if the answer is a "yes", Greater Manchester's trams could come to a standstill as early as next month.

The workers, who include drivers, engineers and a range of other roles, are asking for an above-inflation pay offer for the next three years after accepting a below-inflation pay offer last year.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is reprehensible how companies worth billions like Keolis and Amey can pay their workers so poorly while lining the pockets of their shareholders. Transport for Greater Manchester and the mayor need to set them straight and to tell them to pay our members a decent wage for their work keeping Greater Manchester on the move. 

"Unite's commitment to protecting the pay of its members is absolute and our workers will have the union's support throughout this dispute."

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: "This dispute is the making of Metrolink and their parent companies. They can afford to pay our members a decent wage after years of real terms pay cuts. 

"Our members have had enough and they will be balloting on industrial action. I would encourage Metrolink to urgently come back to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept."

Keolis-Amey Metrolink is a collaboration between the French-based company Keolis and the British-based company Amey which runs the trams on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester.

Unite the Union said both of these companies make more than a billion pounds in revenue per year.

Damien Chabas, the managing director of Keolis-Amey Metrolink, said: "As the proud operator of Metrolink, we are committed to offering a fair pay deal to our employees and protecting jobs in the current challenging economic climate. 

"While we need to ensure Metrolink's sustainability for the years to come we offered a fair pay deal protecting our employees against inflation increase over the next three years. We remain committed to meaningful discussions with Unite."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.