Talks were beginning this afternoon between management and unions at Peugeot, now that the summer shutdown is over.

The 3,000 workers are returning to duty after a three-week closedown. According to a strike ballot, they should have been heading straight into indefinite action from today.

But the bosses have put off bringing in the new contracts with its controversial extra Friday nights for weekday staff and compulsory Mondays for weekend workers.

More money was offered and the number of mandatory shifts was reduced, but the company needs more flexibility because of the popularity of the 206 model made at Ryton.

It brought the latest ballot vote almost to a dead heat, but for the third consecutive ballot members of the MSF and the AEEU agreed they would still rather strike than sign, despite union leaders lobbying for acceptance.

Both sides say it is too early to comment in detail, but hope the talks starting today can end the deadlock once and for all.

Staff took part in walkouts in the final days in the run-up to the summer shutdown, but today’s all-out stoppage was put on hold at the last minute.