WORKERS at an East Lancashire engineering company have gone back to work after a one-day strike.

But the gas mains layers and resurfacers, who claim they haven't had a significant pay rise for two years, say their fight for an increased hourly rate will go on.

Around 60 of the 150-plus workforce at Alfred McAlpine, Heys Lane, Great Harwood, have joined the GMB union in a bid to negotiate with management at the site.

After the walkout on Wednesday an emergency meeting was held and an offer of a profit share system was made by the company.

That was put to the workers but spokesman David Pountley, a mains layer for the company, said some of them would still prefer an increase in the hourly rate.

"We told the lads what they said but they didn't think it was feasible at this moment in time. They haven't had time to look at it and decide in their own minds whether they can achieve the targets.

"They have decided to go back to work as a gesture of goodwill to the company for paying us for the day we were out.

"The issues are still on the table and we are going to negotiate so we are now waiting for management to to accept the union and get round the table with the union and sort these issues out."

Neil Holden, regional officer for the GMB, said: "The main thing was getting them back to work so we could approach the company through the union. We don't want to put their jobs at risk.

"If the management agree to a meeting we will have that first to get an understanding of where the company is coming from. If they don't agree to a meeting then we will have mass meetings of the members to take the issue further."

Union membership forms have also been sent to workers in Liverpool and the Lake District.

A spokesman for McAlpine's said: "All the men have returned to work and we are currently involved in discussions internally."