FOOD factory staff at the centre of an industrial dispute yesterday voted in favour of further strike action.

Workers at Country Style Foods, in Stockton, held crisis talks with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) after company bosses continued to refuse to hold discussions.

Alan Milne, of the BFAWU said, last night that a third strike was definitely on the cards.

"The staff are concerned that the company is still not talking to them.

"There will be further industrial action in a couple of weeks, but I cannot confirm a date at this point," he said.

"We are still keen to talk to the company and sort this out without strike action.

"The staff are feeling pretty cheesed off at the moment."

Walkouts were held in April and May over a revised contract offered to new staff.

Last month, workers began an overtime ban and began working to rule.

The BFAWU said the new contract had removed bereavement leave, cut overtime rates and forced staff to opt out of the European Working Time Directive.

Country Style Foods has repeatedly declined to comment.