Staff at Nestl's York factory were back at work today after an impromptu walk-out.

Furious workers downed tools and marched out yesterday in protest at their own union, the GMB.

They accused it of making them look "mean and greedy" in the dispute over the new chocolate-covered pretzel, Flipz.

But after meeting with staff, a union boss told the Evening Press there had been a "misunderstanding".

Workers stormed out in objection to comments made by the GMB's Graham Waite, who had said the remaining opportunities for work in the wake of the Flipz production halt should be shared out evenly.

But permanent staff took this to mean that they should give up some of their extra hours, on which many rely for income, to allow casuals to continue working.

Staff said Mr Waite was implying they were mean and greedy for not wanting to give up their extra hours. They blame the management for taking on too many people in the first place.

But after an emergency meeting with staff, Mr Waite said: "I am not saying they are greedy. It was a criticism of the company, not the individuals. I have tried to get that across to them.

"I am sorry they have got upset by misunderstanding what I said.

"I was saying that the company should have been aware there was a problem with Flipz and taken that into account before they started going on to extra hours."

Staff were back at work today but were still not happy with Mr Waite's explanation, and were planning to quiz the chief shop steward, George Tutill, in further meetings today.

Fifty-one casuals are to be laid off because of the Flipz production halt - but it will now be only for eight days rather than the original fortnight announced earlier, Mr Tutill said.

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