Workers vote overwhelmingly for strike action at BMW
BMW workers at its engine plant at Hams Hall have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action that could see 3,500 workers down tools across the UK.
93% of workers voting at the Coleshill site approved strike action while 99% supported industrial action short of a strike. More than three-quarters of eligible workers cast their vote at Hams Hall.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “BMW needs to reflect on this extraordinary vote in favour of industrial action and the real possibility that its UK workforce will strike for the first time under its ownership in the coming weeks.”
The protests are in response to BMW’s plans to close the final salary pension scheme.
The Hams Hall figures were in line with the overall voting from BMW Group’s sites at Cowley, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon, with 93% in support of a strike and 97% backing industrial action.
McCluskey added: “It won’t be a step which will be taken lightly, but the vote in favour of action shows a determination by workers who have contributed massively to BMW’s record revenues to stand up for their pensions.
“Over the coming days Unite representatives will be considering our next steps and what form industrial action could take. We would urge BMW to stop pinching pensions and negotiate a settlement which is good for the business and good for the workforce.”
A BMW spokesperson said: “BMW Group has always prided itself in providing excellent pensions for its staff and wants to act now to protect future pension provision for its UK workforce.”
