Members of the Unison trade union have voted in favour of striking against the government's plans to change public service pension schemes.
There was a 78% majority, with 245,358 in favour and 70,253 against on a 29% turnout.
The vote means there is likely to be a huge national strike on 30 November.
On Wednesday, the government offered to change its plans, which are aimed at cutting the cost of funding public service pensions.
Following the ballot result, the Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude called on Unison members not to go ahead with a strike.
"We listened to the concerns of public sector workers about their pensions and yesterday responded with a new generous settlement which is beyond the dreams of most private [sector] employees."
"Today's Unison ballot received a very low turnout - with less than a third of their members even voting - which shows there is extremely limited support for the kind of strike action their union leaders want," he added.
There was a 78% majority, with 245,358 in favour and 70,253 against on a 29% turnout.
The vote means there is likely to be a huge national strike on 30 November.
On Wednesday, the government offered to change its plans, which are aimed at cutting the cost of funding public service pensions.
Following the ballot result, the Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude called on Unison members not to go ahead with a strike.
"We listened to the concerns of public sector workers about their pensions and yesterday responded with a new generous settlement which is beyond the dreams of most private [sector] employees."
"Today's Unison ballot received a very low turnout - with less than a third of their members even voting - which shows there is extremely limited support for the kind of strike action their union leaders want," he added.
