SALFORD housing workers are being forced to urinate in the back of vans because of the “degrading” expectations of bosses, the Star has learned.

Workers employed in the city by the ForViva housing group told the Star that mounting management pressure to meet work targets means workers often have to skip toilet breaks and can’t access proper toilet facilities.

The worker, who did not want to be named, told the Star: “We’re often refused access to offices, or there’s no toilets provided.

“We haven’t got time to go looking for one because then we’re not hitting targets, so you can imagine just how degrading it really is.

“People feel like they’re walking on egg shells all the time and most people feel like any slip-up means they’ll sack you.”

The employees, who are Unite members, are balloting for strike action to demand a pay deal of £28,500 across all trades with no loss of terms and conditions.

Workers are also angry that ForViva failed to give them a pay award this year, despite the fact that the company’s highest-earning director earned £381,000 in 2018.

Another worker, who did not wish to be named, told the Star: “They say they’ve not made enough money, and they need to save to build social housing so we can’t get a pay rise.

“But the directors pay went up 11 per cent last year. How’s that fair?”

Labour Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett told the Star that Salford City Council would be looking into the allegations.

Mr Dennett said: “I have huge amounts of sympathy for the workers being balloted for strike action — three years without a pay rise is a real-terms pay cut when the cost of living is concerned.

“If the figures on executive pay provided by the union are correct, they show a worrying trend where profits are spent on higher rewards granted to those at the top, while service provision is reduced and cuts made.

“I will be making my own inquiries on the matter to get to the root of the issue.”

ForViva had not responded to comment at the time of going to press.