BMW workers protest over closure of the group’s pension scheme

A worker at BMW's Hams Hall engine plant

BMW workers have protested outside the company’s Hams Hall engine plant over the carmaker’s plans to close their final salary pension scheme.

A similar protest took place outside the MINI production plant in Cowley – the ultimate destination for many of the engines manufactured in Coleshill.

The Unite union, which represents many of the workers, said the closure of the BMW occupational pension scheme could see some of the car firm’s UK workforce lose up to £160,000 in retirement income.

The protests coincided with the start of a vote on possible industrial action in relation to the pension scheme closure, which is scheduled for May 31.

The union said the closure of the pension scheme had been put into sharp focus by BMW’s announcement earlier this month of an 8% increase in net profits to €6.9bn, as well as a record year for MINI sales and a 6% rise in Roll-Royce sales.

Unite national officer Tony Murphy said the protest sent a clear message to BMW bosses that the workers would not tolerate the firm’s pension changes.

“The UK workforce has contributed massively to BMW Group’s record sales and revenues and deserves better than BMW’s broken pension promises and pleas of poverty,” he said.

“We would urge BMW to recognise the vital role the world class UK workforce has played in the company’s success and work with Unite to find a solution which safeguards car workers’ pensions and works well for the business.”

The ballot, involving workers at Cowley, Farnborough, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon, closes on Friday March 31.

Talks aimed at trying to resolve the dispute broke up earlier this month without agreement, however, both sides have agreed to meet again on March 22.

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