Heinz workers to strike again over pay

Workers at food giant Heinz are to stage a 24-hour strike tomorrow after rejecting a revised pay offer.

Members of Unite at the firm's site in Wigan will walk out at 7.50am after voting against the offer by 3-1.

Unite said the proposed deal was worth 3.5% this year, plus £200 non-consolidated bonus with a 3.4% pay rise for 2012. Unite warned that the deal still fell far short of workers' expectations and of the cost of living.

Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for food and drink, said: "Following the result, Heinz management have said they want to enter into conciliation through Acas and Unite has agreed to this.

"However, the company is fully aware that the industrial action will continue until we reach a settlement that is acceptable to our members, so I hope that when we meet they will be prepared to add some real value to the offer.

"Our members have sent the loudest possible message to Heinz management - we deserve a better deal."

The workers held a series of strikes last year, which Unite said cost Heinz millions of pounds.