Hunter Transgrid workers have voted informally to reject an annual 2 per cent pay rise offer from the company.
The Electrical Trades Union is seeking an annual 3 per cent wage rise over the three-year life of a new enterprise agreement.
About 50 ETU members met in Newcastle, some of them via video link, on Monday to discuss the pay offer.
ETU deputy secretary Allen Hicks said the members had indicated their unanimous rejection of the "substandard" deal.
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"If the company does put out this agreement to vote on, then that'll be rejected in a big way, then it's up to us what steps to take," he said.
Mr Hicks said spiralling house prices and rents in Newcastle showed workers' wages needed to keep pace with the cost of living.
The Reserve Bank forecasts inflation to rise to 3 per cent this financial year then fall to 1.5 per cent in 2021-22.
