Scottish Water staff are poised for strike action with a ballot to take place after talk over pay collapsed.
Union chiefs at Unite said the decision to ballot on industrial action comes after the firm did not make a "fair and decent" pay offer to staff, while giving "eye-watering" packages to company bosses, the BBC reports.
Unite, which represents 500 staff at Scottish Water, also criticised in a job evaluation process the firm carried out.
Scottish Water said it was disappointed by the decision to vote on strike action and asked the union to "engage with us".
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "Scottish Water has failed to make our members a fair and decent pay offer.
"Contrast this management snub with the eye-watering packages its executive team members are dishing out to themselves.
"Unite will fully support our members in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions at Scottish Water."
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: "Our proposal for an annual pay award for 2024/25 builds on the uplift and significant improvement to terms and conditions agreed last year with the trade unions.
"We are disappointed that the unions have not put our increased offer to their members and believe that balloting for industrial action is premature.
"We encourage the unions to engage with us."
In late 2023, Scottish Water staff eventually accepted an 8% basic pay increase after taking industrial action the month prior.