STAFF members have lobbied a housing group in a plea for negotiations to be reopened over an ongoing dispute over a pay rise.

Workers at the Torus Group picketed outside Helena Partnership's Corporation Street base during the Torus board meeting on Monday, April 16 to highlight what they say is the "need for a decent pay increase" and an increase in living standards.

Torus consists of staff members of Helena Partnership and Warrington-based Golden Gates, who merged in 2015.

Staff members who work in a range of roles including administrators; customer service advisers; housing officers and maintenance staff in St Helens and Warrington took part in the picket line, says trade union UNISON.

The union says that workers are unhappy that Torus bosses are again planning to hold their pay at a level they say is "below the rate of inflation".

The Star previously reported that staff were offered a two-year deal with a 1.5 per cent pay increase in the first year and two per cent in the second year.

However, unions say prices went up by 3.5 per cent and the cost of some "everyday items has risen dramatically", including bus fares clothing, footwear and petrol.

They say that despite staff being due to receive the two per cent rise over the next 12 months, this is still "below the forecast inflation rate" and marks another "real-terms pay cut".

UNISON claimed Torus bosses have "ignored" the staff’s rejection of a below-inflation pay offer, while the highest-paid board member has seen a payment increase of more than six per cent.

When asked by the Star, a UNISON spokesman said they are hoping for negotiations to reopen but if this does not happen said strike action over the matter is not being "ruled out".

Dan Smith, UNISON's north west regional organiser, said: “Housing staff have experienced some very difficult years.

"Their working hours and their workloads have been increased, while their pay has not kept up with inflation.

“Torus is doing well financially and it is not fair that frontline staff are expected to suffer further cuts to their living standards.

“To avert the possibility of this ending in strike action, Torus bosses need to negotiate and agree a fair pay deal for staff.”

A spokesperson for Torus said: "Torus is in ongoing discussions with the trade unions therefore it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further at this time."