Heinz staff full of beans after souped-up pay offer

A two-year pay agreement worth at least 8% overall has been negotiated by unions at the Heinz factory in Wigan.

The first stage of the deal - accepted in ballots earlier this month by members of the T&G, Amicus and UCATT unions at the plant - involves a 4.25% pay increase backdated to 1 May. A second stage, on 1 May 2006, will deliver a further increase of 3.75% or the retail prices index plus 0.5%, whichever is the greater.

Management proposed the new deal less than 48 hours before indefinite strike action, called after the unions rejected an earlier offer that would have seen a first-year increase of 4%, was due to start.

T&G senior regional industrial organiser Ray McManus described the deal as "a convincing result after tough negotiations, and the right outcome for our members", and paid tribute to the workforce's "strength, resolution and commitment". This view was echoed by Amicus North West regional officer Steve Benson, who said: "Amicus is proud of the way our stewards and members have conducted themselves over the last several months. Their solidarity has won a much better offer."