BMW engine workers set to walk out after pensions row
BMW workers at the Hams Hall plant in Coleshill will take part in five days of industrial action in the coming weeks in a row over pensions.
Members of the Unite trade union will stage eight separate 24-hour strikes across four sites, with Hams Hall workers due to walk out on April 19, May 3, 16, 18 and 24.
This will be coupled with a work-torule policy and a ban on overtime.
Unite said the strikes would “significantly disrupt” production of cars, with around 3,500 staff expected to take part across four plants.
BMW is planning to close its finalsalary pension scheme to future benefits by the end of May which could see some workers lose up to £160,000 in retirement income.
The other sites affected by the strike action are in Swindon, Cowley in Oxfordshire and the Rolls-Royce plant in Goodwood, West Sussex.
The Hams Hall plant is used to manufacture small, low-emission and efficient engines and also three major engine components.
The union has around 900 members working at Hams Hall with 640 in BMW’s affected pension scheme.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “BMW’s refusal to talk about affordable options to keep the pension scheme open means a sizeable chunk of its UK workforce will be taking strike action for the first time in the coming weeks. Bosses in the UK and BMW’s headquarters in Munich cannot feign surprise that it’s come to this point. Unite has repeatedly warned of the anger their insistence to railroad through the pension scheme’s closure would generate and the resulting industrial action.
“BMW’s bosses need to get their heads out of the sand and recognise their pension pinching plans will not go unchallenged. BMW’s UK workers have contributed significantly to a record year in revenues and sales for the car maker. They deserve better than broken pension promises and the loss of tens of thousands of pounds in retirement income.
“I urge BMW to step back from its May deadline for the pension scheme’s closure and negotiate seriously to find a settlement which is good for the business and good for the workforce.”
A statement from the manufacturer said: “BMW has always prided itself in providing excellent pensions for its staff and wants to act now to protect future pension provision and to help improve the cost competitiveness of the UK as a manufacturing base.
“A number of planned meetings have taken place since the start of consultation on the proposed pension changes and the company is disappointed by Unite’s notification of industrial action.
“The company has put a number of options on the table to help employees transition to the proposed new pension arrangements and it remains open to negotiation.”