Heinz means no beanz as strike hits production

Heinz said it was "disappointed" with the decision by nearly 1,200 workers to hold a 24-hour strike from last night.

The Unite trade union said staff would stop production at the food giant's plant near Wigan over the "lousy pay deal on offer from the vastly profitable company". It claimed that the walkout would mean two million fewer cans of Heinz baked beans and soups would be produced.

A spokesman for Heinz UK said: "We are disappointed that strike action is being taken today. We have made one of the best pay offers in the industry, equivalent to 4 per cent this year and 3 per cent next. And for the vast majority the second year is worth between 3.6 per cent and 4.6 per cent."