Union warns of fresh strike action at BMW plants after workers reject pension offer

Union leaders have warned of further strike action at BMW factories around the UK – including one in the West Midlands – should pension talks end in deadlock.

Unite shop stewards from BMW plants in Cowley, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon, are discussing their next step after workers rejected by 56.6% the latest settlement offered by the German company.

Strike action was halted last month so workers could vote on a revised offer from BMW ahead of the closure of its final salary pension scheme at the end of May.

Shop stewards have urged the car maker to hold fresh talks aimed at settling the dispute.

Unite expects to meet BMW bosses in the coming days in the hope of resolving the matter.

Unite national officer for BMW Fred Hanna said: “We expect to meet BMW in the coming days. Shop stewards from all of BMW’s UK plants are clear that further strike action is almost certain unless the company puts forward a new offer that better addresses members’ concerns.

“We would urge BMW bosses to engage constructively and work with Unite to hammer out a deal which is acceptable to our members and averts the disruption of further strike action.”

So far, the dispute has seen four walkouts involving workers at all four plants bringing engine, Mini and Rolls-Royce car production to a standstill.

Three 24-hour strikes scheduled in May were suspended while workers considered the offer, which would see the closure of the final salary pension scheme and workers moved into a defined contribution scheme.

Unite shop stewards did not make a recommendation on the offer, which also included a transitional payment of £22,000 spread over three years that would be subject to tax and national insurance. Alternatively, members could opt for a transitional payment of £25,000 spread over three years to be paid into their new defined contribution scheme.