A UNION is raising concerns with Nestl Rowntree about the treatment given to an employee at the company's medical centre in York.

It is understood that shop stewards have put up notices in parts of the factory site, advising members to take a witness with them if they want to visit the centre.

The GMB union says a male union member has complained that correct procedures were not followed when he visited the on-site centre.

He is understood to have claimed that the centre's course of action was inappropriate for his condition.

Spokesman John Kirk said an individual grievance had been lodged with the company on behalf of the member, and the union was in the process of lodging a collective grievance.

He said the company had agreed to sit down with the union to discuss its concerns and the issues raised.

A company spokesman said today: "Nestl takes the health and safety of its employees very seriously, and its occupational health and safety department always operates within the professional code of conduct laid down within the medical profession.

"We are clear that the action taken in this instance was strictly in accordance with those principles.

"We cannot comment further for reasons of individual and medical confidentiality."

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, November 22, 2001