UP TO 670 brickmakers are considering striking over a pensions dispute.

As revealed by The Northern Echo in August, the workforce of the brickbusiness was balloted on industrial action after company bosses closed the final salary scheme.

Union leaders last night revealed a majority of members voted in favour of action.

But they indicated the door was still open to negotiate a solution.

Derek Cattell, GMB organiser, said: "There is still the opportunity for the company to reach a negotiated settlement with us.

"Failing that, we will be considering on a national basis what form of industrial action will take place and when."

The brickbusiness, which has its headquarters in Cheadle, Cheshire, employs 670 workers at 11 sites across the UK, including Todhills and Eldon Works, in County Durham, where more than 70 people are employed.

Emergency meetings were held in August after the company announced plans to swap employees' retirement plans for another scheme.

Workers were concerned they would be left with smaller retirement funds if the proposal went ahead.

A number of companies have faced a backlash from employees after closing final salary schemes to newcomers.

But thebrickbusiness plans to go further by winding up its scheme altogether.

At the time, the company said it was making every effort to safeguard contributions to the scheme.