Unite has announced that it will suspend further industrial action at Swindon's BMW plant today (17 May 2017) to allow members to consider an offer in a dispute over the closure of the final salary pension scheme.
Three 24 hour strikes scheduled for Thursday 18, Sunday 21 and Wednesday 24 May will be suspended while workers at BMW car plants in Cowley, Goodwood near Chichester, Hams Hall in the West Midlands and Swindon are balloted on the offer.
Recent weeks have seen four walkouts as part of the dispute, with the latest one yesterday involving workers at all four plants bringing engine, Mini and Rolls-Royce motorcar production lines to a standstill.
Unite national officer for BMW Fred Hanna said: “While Unite is not recommending the offer, as it will have different outcomes for different people and their pensions, members should be proud that by standing together they have forced BMW into making this offer.
“Without the action that members have taken and the resolve they have shown in recent weeks, BMW would not have made this latest offer, which we believe members should have an opportunity to consider."
Unite members will be consulted and have the opportunity to have their say at workplace meetings over the coming days. It is expected that the ballot on the offer will run from 24 May to 9 June.
In the meantime non-cooperation with flexible working arrangements will remain in place until the outcome of the ballot.
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