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Heinz Kitt Green pay dispute resolved

Workers at the Heinz baked bean facility in Kitt Green have accepted a revised pay deal from the company and called off plans for further industrial action.

Corporate and government affairs director Nigel Dickie said the new two-year deal will increase basic pay by 3.9% during 2010 and 2011, while a pay supplement will also be consolidated into basic wages from October 2011.

"The trade union team and factory management are agreed on working closely together to enhance ways of working at the site," he said.

A spokeswoman from trade union Unite confirmed that the dispute had been resolved after members "voted overwhelmingly to accept a much-improved pay offer" in a secret ballot at Kitt Green that ended at midday today.

805 (75.7%) Unite members voted in favour of the revised deal, while 258 (24.3%) voted against, said Jennie Formby, national officer for food and drink.

"We are pleased to have reached a negotiated settlement with Heinz. It is important that Heinz has listened to its workforce and offered afairer pay deal, one thatacknowledges the contribution the workforce has made to the company's success.

"We firmly believe that without the courage and determination of the workers, and the excellent leadership of their union stewards, we would not have had any movement from the company. This is testimony to what Unite members can achieve when they stand together to defend their jobs."

The fourth and last 24-hour stoppage at Kitt Green started last Tuesday morning as workers continued their protest against what Unite claimed was a below-inflation pay offer of a 3.5% pay rise in year one and a £200 lump sum, then a 3.4% rise in year two, plus a performance-related bonus.

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