Workers at Heinz National Distribution Centre in Wincanton UK are fighting plans to close their final salary pension scheme

After a breakdown in talks, more than 70 workers based at the Martland Mill complex are being asked to consider what industrial action they would be prepared to take. In a joint statement, the four unions representing Wincanton workers, GMB, Usdaw, Unite and the URTU, said that they are fighting to protect the final salary pension scheme, or create an alternative pension scheme for members that would provide a reasonable future on retirement.

Union statement says: “We have already informed the company that, due to its refusal to discuss the wider issues and that no genuine reasonable alternative scheme has been agreed, there is a formal national trade dispute in existence that can only be resolved by reaching a negotiated agreement. Unfortunately, the company have been unwilling to enter meaningful discussion to reach an agreement and as such it is now time to consider what steps need to be taken… In the coming weeks we will be consulting with our members to establish what action they will be prepared to take to demonstrate to the company just how important their future is.”

Any stoppage at the giant NDC would hit Heinz hard, disrupting their supplies to shops and supermarket shelves around the country, reports “Wigan Today”.