UPDATE 1:58 PM
More than 2,800 Ausgrid workers were involved in the vote to take stop work action, 93% of whom supported work stoppages of up to 8 hours, and a refusal to do overtime or callouts.
However, the manager for the Energy and Utilities team with the United Services Union Peter Campise says a strike would be "an absolute last resort", and that they're still prepared to negotiate with Ausgrid.
"Our members of course are consumers [of Ausgrid's services] themselves, so we're very conscious of our needs as well, and trying to make sure that there's the least damage to the community."
If an agreement isn't reached, workers could go on strike as early as the first half of February, a period which last year saw power outages across the Hunter.
Delegates from the combined unions involved in the discussions will meet on January 31st to discuss the timing and format of any stoppages.
EARLIER:
Ausgrid workers across the Hunter have voted overnight to take industrial action next month unless they get a pay rise.
The Electrical Trades Union says its members haven't had a wage increase in four years and have run out of patience, while Ausgrid executives have awarded themselves pay increases averaging 5-point-3 percent a year.
The union is pushing for a 3 percent increase each year for 3 years, while Ausgrid is offering a 7 percent rise over the same period plus a $1000 one-off payment.
In a statement, Ausgrid CEO Richard Gross says they're disappointed with the proposed strike action and want the union to continue to bargain in good faith.
