NESTL Rowntree workers in York are voting on a third pay offer after rejecting a previous deal.

Unions say the latest offer is a complex deal under which all workers would receive a lump sum in December equating to a 2.7 per cent rise for the six month-period from April to September.

Then they would receive a full 6 per cent increase from January 1 next year, which would run up to April 2004.

The national committee of trades unions representing staff at Nestl's five confectionery factories - at York, Halifax, Castleford, Fawden near Newcastle and Girvan in Scotland - has recommended workers to approve the deal.

The aggregate total of votes from the five sites will be counted together, but York - which has 2,500 union members, more than the other factories put together - will have a major influence on the decision.

The ballot result will not be known until November 22, said a spokesman for the GMB union.

A company spokeswoman said: "After constructive talks, Nestl Rowntree have agreed a new, revised offer for employees which has the support of management and trade unions."

Updated: 11:32 Wednesday, November 06, 2002