ABOUT 200 workers at a chemical plant in Teesside are being drawn into a dispute over pay.

Unions were yesterday told to leave the Huntsman Tioxide Greatham Works, near Hartlepool, when attempting to hand out letters to employees on wage negotiations and bonus pay.

The GMB and Unite unions claim the main contractors based on the site, including Cordell, Booths, Watson and Norrie, are not acting in accordance to the National Engineering Construction Industry Agreement.

Ian Davies, regional officer for the Amicus section of Unite, said the contractors had failed to negotiate terms and conditions and workers were missing out on the bonus payments they were entitled to under the agreement.

"We have attempted to hold discussions with the Cordell management. They keep putting it off," he said.

Unions want to sit down with the contractors to discuss terms and conditions.

Jimmy Skivington, regional organiser for the GMB, said workers could be owed an extra 50p or 60p per hour in bonuses on top of their basic pay.

He said: "This is not just about the money, it is about certain employers not playing ball.

"We have agreements and understandings with most of the good employers in the area, but unfortunately there are still some that think they can flaunt agreements that are in place.

"We want the employers to sit down with us so we can negotiate what the terms and conditions are."

He said there is a degree of unrest among workers, who want what they feel is owed to them.

"Our members feel very strongly about this," said Mr Skivington. "It seems they come to Teesside and companies don't pay these bonuses. That really riles our members."

Cordell refused to comment.