Bins could go unemptied during the summer after binmen voted in favour of going on strike during a wage row with employers.

Residents in Folkestone and Dover will feel the effects of the strike action if Veolia – the firm running waste collections in the two districts – does not negotiate a “higher offer that might be acceptable for members", according to the GMB union.

Union leaders said the strikes were originally planned to last two weeks but “members have indicated to us that they're prepared to go out and stay out until the dispute is resolved to their satisfaction”.

The union is requesting HGV drivers have their hourly rate increased by 48% to £20 and loaders see wages go up 47% to £15 per hour.

According to figures provided by GMB, HGV drivers are currently on £13.50 and Loaders are on £10.19.

Gary Palmer, GMB regional organiser said: “GMB members have sent a clear message to Veolia that the pay offer they have tabled in not acceptable.

“Even at this early stage, the members have made it abundantly clear that they are prepared to take strike action to secure a rate of pay that better reflects the rising cost of everything from food to fuel to housing.”

GMB believe the only way to remind management at Veolia of the “dangerous and physically difficult” job that the members carry out is to “stop doing it and see what chaos ensues”.

Mr Palmer added: “The ball is now in Veolia's court - any industrial action would not be happening until the summer, so they have plenty of time to invite GMB for talks so we can negotiate a higher offer that might be acceptable for members."

Both Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) and Dover District Council (DDC) have said they are monitoring the situation.

In a joint statement, the councils said: “We understand discussions between the employer (Veolia) and the union are ongoing. Both councils are monitoring the situation.”

Veolia has told KentOnline it is trying to find a fair resolution with the trade union.

A Veolia spokesman said: “We are still in discussions with the trade union to find a fair resolution that recognises the hard work of our teams who deliver essential public services for the community.

"We have an agreed dispute resolution process and would encourage the trade union to continue to work within it in order to resolve this matter."

This comes just after residents in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable were warned they could face a summer of unemptied bins as refuse workers could walk out over a 30% pay rise demand.

The pay rise would see these base salaries rise to £34,319 and £28,197 respectively for bin lorry drivers and loaders respectively.