Workers Revolutionary Party - OXFORD MINI PLANT OUT OVER PENSIONS!

The News Line: News Monday, 24 April 2017 OXFORD MINI PLANT OUT OVER PENSIONS!

Workers taking strike action over pensions in Oxford – are being supported by the Young Socialists

A 24-HOUR strike by BMW workers making car engines and the Mini took place on Sunday in Oxford and Swindon.

The other strike dates are
•Wednesday 3 May – workers at Hams Hall strike
•Friday 5 May – workers at Rolls-Royce at Goodwood strike
• Tuesday 16 May – workers at Cowley, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon strike
• Thursday 18 May – workers at Cowley, Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon strike
• Sunday 21 May – workers at Cowley and Swindon strike
• Wednesday 24 May – workers at Goodwood and Hams Hall strike.

Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Tony Burke said: ‘BMW workers are deeply alarmed by the company’s plans which could see some of them lose up to £160,000 in retirement income.

‘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’s bosses to listen to its world class 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.’

BMW’s plan to close the pension scheme by 31 May 2017 comes as latest figures showed a surge in BMW Group’s net profit of eight per cent to 6.9 billion euros, as well as a record year for Mini sales and a six per cent rise in Roll-Royce sales.