WORKERS at a Clayton-le- Moors engineering firm went ahead with their third one-day walkout over pay today.

Thirty shop-floor staff at Allspeeds Ltd, who make hydraulic parts for the oil exploration industry, are locked in a pay dispute.

They were offered a 2.5 per cent rise in pay discussions that began in March.

The offer, which equates to an extra £7.50 a week was accepted by staff, including the directors.

But it was rejected by the shop-floor staff who made a counter demand for £10.

No progress has since been made with pay negotiations but workers have discussed their grievances with the directors.

A series of walkouts, taking place on Mondays and Fridays, will continue for the next seven weeks before a ballot takes place about further strike action.

But works convenor Colin Massey said: "The fact we are now talking about our issues with the management and trying to resolve these matters shows that we are trying to make progress."

Workers have had their non-contributory sick pay suspended as a condition of the strike action.

But after a meeting between union officials and directors, an agreement was reached that discretionary payments could take place.

John Laycock, finance director, said: "The company has decided to appoint a small committee to review all cases of absence."