A ballot on whether cemetery workers in Barry will take industrial action has begun.

The industrial action ballot, which began on Monday, will run until Tuesday 20 July.

GMB union who are representing the workers involved, say Barry Town Council is trying to "force them to work longer hours for no extra cash."

The change would mean that staff at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery would have to work 14 shifts of 11am to 7pm a year, as a later closing time has been trialled.

GMB Union says the council has walked away from negotiations and served notice to six cemetery workers to impose a unilateral change to Terms and Conditions of employment, without their consent.

Barry town council has "categorically denied" it was intending to use the controversial 'fire and rehire' practice, and said it was not reducing hours or pay.

GMB is urging the council to return to talks or risk facing strike action.

Nicola Savage, GMB regional organiser said: "Let's be clear the council is trying to force our members to work until 7pm. "We've asked them to provide evidence that the public wanted this, and instead they just left the talks. "We even offered members clocking off and returning later to lock up, and the council still refused. "Our members are sick and tired of being run roughshod by people who have no interest in being a responsible employer, and that's why they've been driven to ballot for strike action." Nub News is awaiting a response from Barry Town Council.