The Enquirer revealed yesterday workers were set to reject the deal sparking fury among M&E contractors.

A meeting of shop stewards from across the country will meet next Monday to decide the next steps – which could include an industrial action ballot.

Unite balloted more than 7,000 electricians and labourers with 91% rejecting the pay increase of two per cent from January 2015 and three per cent from January 2016.

Unite national officer for the construction industry Bernard McAulay urged employers to return to the negotiating table.

He  said: “The pay offer is woefully inadequate as the cost of living continues to soar. Pay packets are being eroded in real terms, while companies still chalk up handsome profits.

“The decisive result of the consultative ballot clearly demonstrates that the workforce cannot be bought off when the future stability of the industry grading structure and hard won skills sets are being put at stake.”