Union fall out

They said they would boycott an informal meeting arranged by the council.

The split came after a meeting in the civic centre which left union bosses and representatives from the factory shocked and angry.

A proposal to adjourn the meeting was carried by 11 votes to seven. Those attending had hoped to discuss the crisis at the factory and work with councillors to resolve the problems.

"They have treated the workers at Goodyear with utter contempt," said a union spokesman.

After the meeting broke up an informal meeting was hurriedly re-arranged.

Councillor David Calvert said an official from the union understood why the meeting had to be adjourned.

He said the council was not going to go back on its original adjournment as a mark of respect for the late Mr Hayes because they were not holding a public meeting.

A spokesman for the TGWU, the largest union at the factory said he would not be attending the re-arranged meeting.

He said: "Because of what happened they have shown what their attitude is towards us.

"We are not going to give them a second chance."

He said they were disappointed with the decision to adjourn as they had a lot of information to present.