Union backs Goldberg's Heinz protest

Oct 13 2006 By Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail

UNION leaders have welcomed the decision by Solihull's Touchwood Shopping Centre to pull the plug on the Heinz "baked beans amnesty" stunt.

The Transport and General Workers Union backed Touchwood bosses following their refusal to go ahead with the US food giant's "insensitive" promotion.

Heinz sparked a storm of protest by announcing plans to give away its own brand in return for shop-pers handing in tins of rival brands.

But the US firm backed down after Birmingham Mail columnist Adrian Goldberg announced a rival "Heinz amnesty" in protest at its decision to close the HP Sauce factory in Aston with the loss of 125 jobs.

John Jordan, T&G acting national organiser said: "This is a victory for community and worker pressure.

"The commendable decision by Touchwood management should send a clear signal to all companies - taking decisions that harm the workforce damages the business.

"Touchwood don't want to be associated with a company that has abandoned the community."

Goldberg is to go ahead with his plans to allow people to donate Heinz groceries to old folk from 10am on Saturday near the Touchwood Centre shops.

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