MANAGERS at Nestl have confirmed that some employees stopped work after hearing about proposals to take on 100 extra staff specifically for weekend shifts.

A company spokesman added the employees returned to work "after receiving further information from the company and trade union representatives".

He added: "Many areas of the factory are very busy as a result of healthy sales and, consequently, we are having to repeatedly request weekend overtime.

"This has resulted in levels of overtime that we believe it is unreasonable to expect

people to work on an ongoing basis.

"We have opened discussions with the trade union in order to resolve this situation.

"We've invited the trade union to give us their feedback and suggestions on this proposal,

and further discussions will take place when they've had a chance to consider

it in more depth.

"A number of our employees stopped work briefly this morning when informed of

these discussions. They resumed work after receiving receiving further information

from the company and trade union representatives."

John Kirk, regional officer for the GMB union, said employees began stopping work after management issued information about the proposed extra jobs, despite union concern that this would make staff fear their weekend overtime was under threat.

He added he had been speaking to his members during yesterday afternoon and early evening. He had checked with the senior shop steward today and there were no problems.

Mr Kirk said the union had suggested that the overtime situation at the factory needed to be looked at overall rather than seeking a "quick fix".