Workers at Peugeot's Ryton plant today voted against strike action in protest at the latest company pay offer.

A postal ballot of members of the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) recorded 591 votes in favour and 980 against industrial action in protest at Peugeot's plans to end the three-week August shutdown in favour of a guarantee of a two week break coinciding with summer holidays.

Tony Woodley, T&G chief negotiator, said: “Clearly it was right for members to have a final say on the company's offer.”

T&G members initially elected – by one vote – to go on strike.