FACTORY workers at an outdoor furniture manufacturers are going on strike in a dispute over pay.

Staff at Wybone Ltd on Platts Common Industrial Estate will stage four one-day walkouts on Fridays in May after pay negotiations between the Community union and management broke down.

An estimated two-thirds of the 41 floor-workers are expected to take part in protests over an annual pay rise and bonus scheme.

One member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said floor-workers had been threatened with the sack if they went ahead with industrial action. The employee claims they were told their jobs would go to Polish agency staff and the company were considering moving abroad. Wybone management have denied the accusations.

The unrest comes after floor workers were given a two-per-cent pay increase at the end of the year rather than the four-per-cent they wanted. Union members have worked to rule since January but will now strike after attempts to reach a settlement failed. A three-per-cent increase on basic pay has been implemented but campaigners were not satisfied as it does not include the bonus scheme.

Regional negotiator Colin Griffiths said they were still waiting for Wybone management to come back with a new offer.

Managing director Richard Cooper said there was no truth in any of the allegations. He said: "We have offered what we think is a very good pay rise which when you take into account the new bonus scheme equates to around a four to five per cent pay increase. They are earning more now then they ever have."