Frontline staff at EDF Energy could go on strike on Monday over a pay dispute.

A strike would affect the supplier’s ability to fix and install electricity meters, with centres in Plymouth, Bristol, London, Exeter and Bexleyheath in Kent possibly taking part.

Today last ditch talks are being held between EDF and the union Unite to avoid a strike from midnight on Monday 16 June.

Unite regional officer Kasab Onay said: “Workers are taking action because EDF is refusing to honour an agreement it freely signed and to make matters even worse the company is offering a pay deal for 2013 which does not even keep up with the ever rising cost of living.”

He poured scorn on a previous olive branch from EDF, an extra £20 a year, as “just insulting to our hardworking members”.

However EDF  said the final offer is “fair and competitive”, adding: “We have made a commitment to our customers to ensure our costs are controlled and affordable.

“An identical offer was accepted last year by the vast majority of a much larger group of employees in the same part of our business – including those working in our customer service centres.”