Union claims solid support for BMW strike
A 24-hour strike by BMW workers in the UK received solid support, the union organising the industrial action has said.
The strike, which halted production at the Hams Hall engine plant, as well as a body panels factory in Swindon and the MINI production facility in Cowley, was staged in protest against the German company’s decision of close its final salary pension scheme at the end of May.
The Unite union said hundreds of workers had mounted picket lines outside the various factories.
The stoppage was the first ever by BMW’s UK workforce.
Warning of continuing disruption, Unite has urged BMW to drop its deadline for the closure of the pension scheme and discuss affordable options to keep the scheme open.
Wednesday’s stoppage was the first in a series of eight 24-hour strikes planned to impact all four of BMW’s UK plants over the next five weeks, including Rolls-Royce in Goodwood where workers plan to walk out for the first time on Friday May 5.
Visiting picket lines today, Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Tony Burke said: “Today’s solidly supported strike should serve as a wake-up call to BMW’s bosses and underlines the determination of Unite members to defend their hard earned pensions.
“BMW bosses need to get their heads out of the sand and recognise this is no way to treat a workforce, which has helped deliver record profits and record sales of the MINI and Rolls-Royce motorcars.
“We would urge BMW to listen to its workforce, drop its deadline for the pension scheme’s closure and negotiate a settlement which is for the business and the workforce. Otherwise the alternative will be more industrial action over the coming weeks and continuing disruption to production.”
Speaking ahead of the strike action, BMW said it hoped the union would return to the negotiating table.
Further stoppages are planned on:
• Sunday April 23 – Cowley and Swindon
• Wednesday May 3 – Hams Hall
• Friday May 5 – Rolls-Royce at Goodwood
• Tuesday May 16 – Cowley, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon
• Thursday May 18 – Cowley, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon
• Sunday May 21 – Cowley and Swindon
• Wednesday May 24 – Goodwood and Hams Hall
