The US-based food company said that the strike is illegal and hits production

A plant run by Heinz in the state of Carabobo, north central Venezuela, was shut down by workers, who demanded the signing of their collective bargaining agreement.

"The company believes that we are still living the era of (Juan Vicente) Gómez (a Venezuelan ruler from 1908 to 1935) and believes that workers are going to live on VEB 10 or 15 a day (USD 2.30-3.50)," said union leader Edison García.

García added that workers filed a list of demands with the National Labor Inspectorate, but the labor agency did not uphold their petitions.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Heinz declared that "these people have not only started an illegal strike, but also they have prevented workers from entering the facilities. Therefore, production of ketchup, baby food, jelly and other key products in the Venezuelan market has been halted."

Source: El Universal - One of the many anti-Chavez, opposition media in Venezuela