A MEETING between unions and management at the Caterpillar plant in Stockton has been put back.

Representatives from the AEEU/Amicus were due to meet bosses at the plant over proposed job cuts yesterday, but it will now take place on Thursday afternoon.

Caterpillar plans to cut about 98 positions from its workforce of 350.

The AEEU/Amicus is hoping to reach an agreement with the management over how the redundancies are handled.

It has been agreed to lay off the 98 staff in two tranches, 41 to go this month, then 57 in September.

Downturn in global demand for its products is blamed by caterpillar for the cuts.

The union has asked the management to consider allowing older members of the workforce to leave, allowing for continuity of employment for younger employees.