RSPCA workers are to ballot on strike action against pay cuts, Unite announced yesterday.

The union, which represents half of the animal charity’s 1,400 employees, says new performance-pay contracts will cut some wages by £4,000.

Balloting starts on Tuesday (February 4) and ends on February 20 following an “overwhelming” vote in a consultative ballot over the contracts.

Unite said staff morale is “plummeting” and accused the RSPCA of “bully-boy tactics” to coerce staff to sign the contracts.

Unite regional officer Debbie Watson said: “Members don’t have to sign these contracts until March 31 and they should not be bullied into signing them.

“Accompanying the contracts was an aggressive email threatening staff to sign before December 20 last year or face potential dismissal.

“Following the overwhelming mandate we received in the consultative paper, we are now holding a full-scale strike-action ballot.”

The RSPCA “utterly rejects” the union’s portrayal and asserted that it has been “open and transparent” with employees throughout the process.

Online only: A statement said:“This whole process is about ensuring the sustainability of the RSPCA in a challenging financial environment so we can continue to rescue and protect animals that need us.

“We have been open and transparent with our employees throughout and are pleased that nearly two thirds have already signed their new contracts.”