CRISIS talks between management and union officials at a Bolton factory were held at an emergency meeting yesterday.

Management at Edbro, the Great Lever tipping gear manufacturers, have put half of the 380-strong workforce on a two-and-a-half day week.

And 35 temporary staff will be released tomorrow when their 13-week contracts expire. They were told a month ago that their contracts would not be renewed.

Negotiations concerning the shorter working week are expected to resume with shop stewards at the plant next week.

A spokesman from the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEW), which represents the majority of workers, said the situation was delicate and talks would be led by on-site union members.

The talks would touch on the state of the business which has suffered a slump in orders - and the problems caused by this.

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