Union bosses and the Bradford-based Confederation of British Wool Textiles were today embroiled in a row over the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The CBWT, which is based in Roydsdale Way, has been branded "mean-minded" for not advising its member companies to give the extra day's holiday for the Queen's Golden Jubilee later this year.

But the CBWT hit back claiming the union was offered the bank holidays during wage negotiations last year.

There are set to be bank holidays in June to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Peter Booth, T&G national organiser manufacturing, said: "Textiles companies are hiding behind the Confederation, but we know that they are saying to their workers that they are only obliged to pay for eight statutory days and not nine. It is quite astonishing that companies, many of whom display the royal coat of arms, are not prepared to give this holiday, which let's face it, only occurs once every fifty years if we are lucky. "I've even heard it said that some companies have told workers that as they are a textiles firm not a bank it doesn't apply to them.

"That is an incredible thing to say to effectively deprive hard working people of their public holiday rights.

"It does the industry no good as this mean-minded attitude shows a lack of appreciation of the skilled and hard working labour force."

John Lambert, CBWT chief executive, said: "When we were bargaining in the wage settlements last year, the unions were offered the chance to have the Golden Jubilee days as paid holiday in the package.

"This package was eventually rejected as the union wanted a higher wage increase.

"The overwhelming majority of staff in the textiles industry will get to take the time off as most mills are closing for the celebration."

The two day bank holiday on June 3 and 4 were announced by the Government earlier this year to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. The CBWT, which has a staff of 17, has around 170 member companies.