Sacked workers at a car components plant in north Wales have vowed to continue their picket despite winning an industrial tribunal over their dismissal.

The 87 workers at Friction Dynamics in Caernarfon have said they will continue to picket until the New Year, the deadline for the company to appeal in the case.

TGWU's Bill Morris: Congratulations

The staff were sacked in June last year, eight weeks after starting a legal strike over changes to their pay and conditions.

UK trade and industry secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has said she has noted the situation at the firm and is looking again at the eight-week rule.

The Friction Dynamics workers are back on picket duty the day after celebrating their legal victory.

The workers took their claim for unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal hearing in Liverpool.

The Transport and General Workers' Union had backed their cause claiming it showed the inadequacy of industrial relations laws which allow staff to be sacked after they have been on strike lawfully for eight weeks.

Workers have picketed the factory for almost a year and a half in protest at having a pay cut and change of working conditions imposed on them.

Tom Jones: Told strikers to be proud

The workers dismissed by the firm's American boss, Craig Smith, had been kept on tenterhooks following the end of the tribunal in Liverpool three weeks ago.

They had gathered at Caernarfon Town Football Club to await the tribunal's reserved decision.

The room erupted in cheers of joy and relief when the decision was announced by Tom Jones, the local secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).

The tribunal was asked to deliberate on the case of just one worker, John Davies.

But his victory means others should now qualify for compensation.

Appeal

The tribunal panel has yet to issue details of its decision, but the sacked workers were told that it was unanimous.

Mr Jones also read out a letter from the TGWU's secretary general Bill Morris, congratulating the workers and praising them for holding out on the picket line outside the factory for so long.

There has been no response yet from the factory owners.

However, it is understood that Mr Smith has been in the USA for several weeks.

Once the full tribunal decision is made public - which is expected later this month - the owner will have 42 days to appeal.

The TGWU has warned its members to maintain their dignity and to treat those still working at the plant with respect.

Caernarfon AM, Dafydd Wigley, said if the owner had any self respect he should admit defeat and compensate the workers.

Anthem

He said "Mr Smith has assets in the UK to make those payments.

"If there is any justice in the world a full ruling will be made against the owner and the men who want to, can return to work, or be fully compensated."

A record company has celebrated the workers' victory by releasing an anthem featuring some of the strikers.

Penygoes-based Recordiau Sain brought together two of its most popular artists - Dafydd Iwan and Bryn Fon - with backing vocals by some of the sacked staff.