Workers were jubilant when the won their appeal last November

Workers at the Friction Dynamex plant in Caernarfon - who have maintained a 24-hour picket since losing their jobs more than two years ago - have to wait until November for an appeal by the owner to be heard.

Last year an employment tribunal decided that the 86 workers had been unfairly dismissed.

But, the owner Craig Smith, then decided to appeal against the decision.

T & G union official Tom Jones said that his members were disappointed that the matter would drag on for several more months.

However, he said they would continue with their 24 hour a day picket of the factory which they have maintained since the dispute began.

Backing

The employees at the car brake lining factory went on strike in April 2001 over pay and conditions.

They were sacked eight weeks later and have kept up a non-stop picket since.

The hearing into the appeal by factory owner will be heard in London on 3 and 4 November.

The strikers were delighted last November when they won their case for unfair dismissal.

The workers have received backing from the local community and the Transport and General Workers' Union.