Dozens of workers at Austrian-owned firm Mayr-Melnhof Packaging in Bootle, Liverpool have staged an occupation after being locked out by bosses following a break down of redundancy talks.

Up to 40 workers entered the site at 11.30am telling MMP bosses that nothing would move in or out of the site until employers met with their Unite union representatives for emergency negotiations.

The unofficial action was sparked following official strike action the previous day against 37 redundancies at the firm.

Yesterday, employees went on strike holding a demonstration on site, with further official action planned today.

However MMP bosses responded by taking the almost unprecedented step of “locking out” the workers.

Labour history experts have told Union News that the last lock out by bosses in Britain took place in the Graphical and Print industry way back in 1958.

Within the last few hours, management at MMP have agreed to talk with Unite officials and the occupation has been suspended.

But workers have insisted that the bosses lockout must be ended with the possibility of further disruption to site being mooted for later this evening.

Speaking exclusively to Union News, Unite National Officer Ian Tonk said: “In 20 years as an official in the British trade union movement, this is my first lockout.

“We are in talks with MMP and have urged them to end their lockout.”

MMP have been contacted by Union News for comment but have so far not responded.

More to follow