FEARS over further industrial un-rest at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant have grown after it was revealed workers will be balloted over full strike action this week.
The move comes after more than 2,000 workers from the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) held a wildcat strike that started just after 10pm on Thursday.
Friday's 6am and 2pm shifts followed suit in a protest over what workers regard as the compulsory redundancy of 46 staff, initially employed on temporary six-month contracts in 2002.
The 'finishing up' of the temporary workers prior to Christmas re-ignited anger over General Motors' October announcement of 12,000 job cuts across Europe, 350 at the Port plant.
TGWU spokesman Andrew Dodgson said: 'Although those finished last week were temporary staff, they had been there for two and a half years.
'We therefore think their dismissal amounts to compulsory redundancy, which is contrary to the agreement we have in place.
'Claims of unfair dismissal on behalf of the 46 will be taken to a tribunal. A ballot for full strike action is to be conducted this week.
Staff from the plant receive ballot papers tomorrow, with results of the vote likely to be in within two weeks.
Mr Dodgson added: 'No-one ever goes on strike as a first option and we hope this can be resolved through negotiation.'
A Vauxhall spokesman said the firm was 'extremely disappointed' at the demonstration and said the contracts were always due to end on Friday.
The walkout, which saw normal production resume at 10pm on Sunday, halted the production of the Astra and is estimated to have cost parent company General Motors several thousand pounds.
