Union boss Derrick Burgess has hit out at Wedco management for deciding to outsource the jobs of around a dozen industrial workers.

Asked if industrial action was likely Mr. Burgess said the union was still waiting for the details of what was proposed.

He said: "I know the workers won't take it lightly."

Management had been secretive about the plan and not mentioned it in during recent pay negotiations, said Mr. Burgess.

He said: "We don't know when it is effective from. We sent one of our people up there on Friday but (General Manager) Lloyd Telford was on vacation. They told me we might have something in writing by Tuesday.

"I think it is a bit ridiculous, they always try to outsource subordinates but when I look at the wage package 65 percent is for the managers and only 33-35 percent for the workers.

"It would seem they have quite a few managers making a whole lot of money, maybe they should outsource the managers and save money if the major expense is for manager's salaries."