A RAIL union will ballot its members from Virgin East Coast over the company's proposals to impose a pay offer that had previously been rejected by the workforce.

The offer by the train company sought to impose conditions under productivity clauses that National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) claims will create a two-tier workforce where new applicants and long-standing staff would have different rights.

RMT also claim Virgin East Coast are offering new employees no sick pay for the first 12 months and an inferior sick pay scheme thereafter.

The company also propose a clause within the pay offer which would see everyone's sickness and absence policy reviewed.

Virgin East Coast said it has offered a "very fair" 3.2 per cent pay increase and is still open to talks with the union. 

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: "We will not stand by while Virgin East Coast attempt to impose a two-tier workforce with different terms and conditions for our members.

"It is shocking that the company are offering new employees no sick pay for the first 12 months and an inferior sick pay scheme thereafter.

"The pay offer was put to our members and they rejected it by a large majority.

"Instead of negotiating the company has sought to impose the offer. Therefore RMT is preparing a ballot for industrial action for our Virgin Trains East Coast members.

"The union remains available for talks."

A Virgin Trains spokesman: “We have not yet received formal notification from the RMT, but we are disappointed if this is true. 

"We have offered members what we believe is a very fair 3.2 per cent pay increase and we remain open to discussions with them.”