TEMPORARY staff at York's Nestl Rowntree factory are threatening a walkout in protest over what they say is "unfair" overtime pay.

Up to 200 seasonal agency workers at the Wigginton Road plant have clashed with bosses because they claim to be now paid less than permanent employees for working overtime.

It is believed the GMB Union, which represents their interests, has stopped them working overtime until the matter is resolved.

Temporary workers say the problems started when Nestl Rowntree recently took on recruitment agency, PMP, to hire them and sort out their hours.

It is believed that in the past, permanent and temporary staff always had the same pay and conditions.

An anonymous agency worker said they were prepared to walk out if it was not sorted out within the next few weeks.

"It's disgusting, the way we're being treated," he said.

"We feel discriminated against. We now only get paid the flat rate for working overtime, which is a lot less than the core staff."

Local GMB organiser John Kirk confirmed the union was in discussion with Nestl bosses over the issue.

He said the union was on the initial understanding that agency staff would be on the same overtime pay and conditions as permanent employees, but this had proved not to be the case.

"We're in discussion with the company to try and rectify the situation," he said.

"There are a number of issues affecting not only temporary workers, but also permanent staff."

Mr Kirk said they were not aware of any plans by agency employees to conduct an impromptu walkout.

A spokesman for PMP said: "PMP has agreed to supply temporary staff to Nestl Rowntree. But we never discuss the terms on which we sign these agreements."

A Nestl spokeswoman said: "Nestl Rowntree's York factory has recently appointed PMP to supply temporary workers.

"The contract between the two companies is currently being finalised. However we can confirm that temporary workers will be employed by PMP and supplied to Nestl Rowntree York factory to meet working requirements."

The Evening Press previously reported that Nestl workers faced what amounted to a pay cut of almost £10,000 when they were moved off the continental shift system.

Staff on the KitKat 4 production line said they risked losing their new homes and cars - bought on the back of huge pay increases.

Updated: 09:06 Saturday, July 03, 2004