Workers strike for fair pay - it has to be Heinz
11 December 2010
Workers at Heinz’s Kitt Green factory in Wigan will take
24 hour strike action in a battle for fair pay.
Photo/Interview Opportunity
- When: 7.30am – 8.30am, Thursday 16 December 2010
- Where: H J Heinz Co Ltd, Walthew Lane, Kitt Green, Wigan, WN5
0JL
At an angry mass meeting held today (11 December), workers at
Heinz’s flagship UK plant in Wigan, decided unanimously to take
discontinuous strike action from Wednesday 15 December (21:50
hours) until Thursday 16 December 2010 (21:50 hours). In
addition, continuous action, involving a ban on overtime and
members working strictly to their contract will commence on Tuesday
14 December (00:01 hours).
The strike follows strong support from the workforce when 90 per
cent of workers who took part in the ballot voted in favour of
strike action and over 95 per cent for action short of strike to
reject the company’s 3.3 per cent pay offer this year followed by a
capped 3 per cent for next year.
Unite warns that stoppage at the Kitt Green factory will lead to
two million fewer cans, including Heinz Beanz and soups, being
produced that day.
Speaking after the meeting, Jennie Formby, Unite national
officer for food and drink, said: “The mood of the meeting was
angry and determined. Heinz has left our members with no
choice but to stand firm and fight for a ’fair’ pay deal.
“The company is treating its loyal and long serving workforce
disgracefully. It’s our members that helped the company make its
vast profits yet it is still refusing to table an improved offer
that reflects their hard work.
“Make no mistake this strike will hit Christmas production –
this meanz two million fewer Heinz canz!
“Our members are absolutely determined to win fair pay and we
are determined to see that they get it. Unless Heinz forks out a
fairer deal, then strike action will go ahead.”
Unite is pressing Heinz’s UK management for urgent talks in a
final attempt to settle the dispute and avert industrial
action.
ENDS
For further information please contact Karen Viquerat on 07768
931 316 or Jennie Formby on 07702206436.
Email to a friend
