E.On employees will stage a one-day strike on 17 December in a dispute over pay.

Approximately 250 metering workers will take industrial action because they have had no consolidated pay increase for three years, and this year’s offer averages a 1% rise.

Paresh Patel, regional officer at trade union Unite, said: “E.On’s management is using the 2012 pay settlement to erode even further our members’ terms and conditions of employment, which has seen some members losing up to 2.9% in income within a given year.

“This dispute is clear and simple. It is about managers getting more each year and the customer-facing field metering staff being offered less in real terms, and this is not acceptable, nor fair.”

A spokesperson at E.On, said: “We are disappointed at the decision of trade unions to take this action because employees across all other parts of E.On UK have accepted 2012 pay settlements.

“We believe our offer is fair and allows employees to continue enjoying a competitive employment and benefits package that compares well across the industry.

“We have plans in place to ensure any disruption to customers is kept to a minimum and we remain available to talk to the trade unions to seek a resolution.”