Around 700 KraftHeinz employees, represented by trade union Unite, have secured a pay increase and bonus, overall worth 11% of their yearly wage.
The deal includes a 5.5% increase on base rates and two one-off payments totalling £1,200, with the first payment of £500 to be paid immediately, and the second £700 payment received in January 2023 subject to attendance. According to the business, the payments are not subject to national insurance or income tax deductions.
The deal also secured the employees an additional three days off during the Christmas period.
A KraftHeinz spokesperson confirmed that the deal had been reached as part of the business' annual negotiation process with staff at its Kitt Green factory.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “This is a great result for our members at Heinz and a win for the local Unite reps. It is yet another example of Unite’s absolute focus on jobs, pay and conditions delivering results for workers.”
Joe Clarke, national officer at Unite, said: “Heinz is one of a number of food industry employers where Unite has recently negotiated creative pay deals to help offset the cost-of-living crisis for our members. It is a further reminder that those looking to improve their wages and working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to do the same.”
The union also secured workers at confectionery manufacturers Cadbury and Barry Callebaut pay increases. These were worth 17.5% for 1,000 employees as of July and 10% for around 200 Banbury, Oxfordshire-based production operatives and technicians earlier this month, respectively. Barry Callebaut employees will also see their bonuses and pensions rise to 10% as well as their salary, in a deal that was secured without the need for industrial action.
