A STRIKE at a plastics factory has been postponed until further notice.

Up to 180 workers at BPI's Stockton plant, also known as Visqueen, had voted to take part in three one-day stoppages, starting tomorrow, over pay.

But following a last-ditch meeting between unions and management, union representatives agreed to put the strike on hold, pending further instructions from the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).

A statement from the company said that it could not improve previous offers that had been rejected by unions.

Managing director Steve Moss said: "The company continued to emphasise that this is the best offer available in an extremely difficult trading environment."

Increases in raw material prices, deteriotating market conditions and increased pension scheme costs were blamed for BPI being unable to agree to trade union requests for improved offers, which it said could put business at risk in a difficult UK manufacturing environment.

Earlier this month, workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike after bosses rejected demands for a three per cent pay increase and instead imposed a 2.5 per cent rise.

If the strike had gone ahead, it would have been the first in Visqueen's history.

Pay talks between workers and management at the factory, which makes polythene sacks and packing materials, have been going on since July, when staff voted to reject the 2.5 per cent pay offer.

Last month, managers warned that industrial action could be hugely damaging to the plant and could result in work being moved elsewhere.

Workers were sent a letter telling them that any industrial action would lead to the company reviewing all aspects of employment at the site - a letter that union officials described as inflammatory.

Joe Keith, of the TGWU, was unavailable for comment last night.