Heinz staff in Wigan to hold third strike over pay

About 1,200 staff are employed at the factory

Workers at the Heinz baked beans factory in Wigan are due to strike later in an ongoing dispute over pay.

It will be the third time members of the Unite union have taken strike action, after rejecting a two-year pay offer of 3.3% and 3%.

Unite national officer Jennie Formby said management had not been prepared to negotiate a "meaningful settlement" with staff.

A spokesman for Heinz said it was "very disappointed" by the decision.

"We have made one of the best pay offers in the industry," he added.

But Ms Formby said: "Heinz is a company that is doing exceptionally well.

"There is no excuse at all for offering a deal that is below par and is currently below the rate of inflation."

The company met union officials last week but the talks ended without agreement.