A Derry medical packaging company sacked more than a quarter of its workforce today amid unofficial industrial action.
Perfecseal said action by a small number of its 200-strong workforce had been unofficial, unlawful and repudiated by the workers' union, Amicus, and resulted in their contracts of employment being ended with immediate effect.
A spokesman said the rest of the workforce were working normally and that all machinery was operating.
General manager Keith McCracken said: "Perfecseal will be undeterred by the reckless actions of a small number of employees."
The dispute appeared to start after 24 workers stopped work on Tuesday for a meeting and were told they could not do so during working hours.
They did not return to work, and when faced with disciplinary proceedings refused to co-operate or return to work - and were suspended as a result.
A number of other workers are understood to have downed tools in support and to have been suspended.