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The workers voted in favour of striking 11-1 after being offered a 3.8% pay rise.

Helena Kavanagh, commercial director of CBS Outdoor, told Media Week: "We are hopeful we will reach a mutually agreeable solution before Thursday. Over the past five years the workers have received rises at two times the rate of inflation, but the rises must be aligned with the needs of the business."

Kavanagh refused to comment on the size of the possible backlog in delayed campaign rollouts, but said CBS Outdoor expected to be back up to date by next Thursday (14 August), unless the workers decide to take further strike action.

She added that no advertising campaigns had been cancelled as a result of the strike announcement and that bookings revenue will not be affected by the strike.

Kavanagh said: "It [the strike] hasn't started yet and we are still hopeful that it won't and are continuing negotiations."

CBS Outdoor's digital screens on the Underground are not affected by the strike.

CBS Outdoor launched the first 23 cross-track digital screens in June as part of its £72m investment for the tube. There will eventually be 2000 digital screens and 150 cross-track screens on the Underground, the majority of which will be fitted by the end of 2008.