THE crisis between striking workers and management at Southampton shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft deepened today as bosses suspended staff taking industrial action over a huge pay row.

All 630 union members involved in a programme of 24-hour stoppages are being suspended without pay the following day.

Managers are warning workers they face further disciplinary action, which could include sackings, if the strikes continue.

GMB members were suspended for one day yesterday following their stoppage on Tuesday and bosses have vowed to take the same measures against staff from the other four unions involved.

The industrial unrest comes soon after Vosper Thornycroft announced that it is in the running to build the latest generation of warship at Woolston under a multi-million pound deal with the Royal Navy.

It also disclosed profits of £34.2 million last month.

Unions are standing firm and have insisted that the series of one-day stoppages will continue as planned unless employees vote otherwise.

VT personnel director Colin Reed said workers were told of the possible consequences of industrial action last week.

In a statement VT said: "Employees have been warned that further industrial action would result in further disciplinary action being taken by the company, which could include suspension without pay or dismissal."

Mr Reed added: "We have decided that we cannot live with the situation as it stands without taking some form of action.

"In accordance with our disciplinary procedures we are suspending employees without pay for the day after the stoppages and advising them to return to work the following day.

"We deeply regret the decision by our hourly paid workforce at Woolston to continue with selective 24-hour stoppages in pursuit of their wage claim and hope that normal business can be resumed as soon as possible."

TGWU district secretary Dennis Harryman said the five unions involved in the strikes would discuss what steps they would take in the light of management action.

"The company has already been advised of the programme of stoppages and that is an on-going dispute action," he said.

"The suspension without pay of workers is another matter to consider but everyone was previously warned about disciplinary action on their ballot paper.

"Until our members decide otherwise through another ballot, the programme will continue as planned."

Last month the shipyard announced it was in negotiations with the Ministry of Defence over a contract to build one of two first-of-class warships.

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