BMW strike picket line, April 2017, photo by Nick Hart (Click to enlarge)

BMW strikers determined to win pensions dispute

BMW strike placard, April 2017, photo Nick Hart (Click to enlarge)

On 19 April, workers at BMW's engine plant in Coleshill, Warwickshire, held the first of five separate 24-hour strikes against changes to their pension scheme. Part of the first national strike by BMW workers in the UK, the stoppage was called by Unite the Union after a massive 93% yes vote by 72% of workers.

The company is trying to force through a change from a final salary pension scheme (based on workers' contributions) to a defined benefit scheme (leaving retirement income at the mercy of stock market fluctuations).

This could see the 5,000 workers in the scheme losing up to Ł160,000 over the course of retirement. The move comes despite BMW making profits of Ł5.89 billion in the year to March 2017.

A BMW engine, photo Beemwej (Creative Commons)

There was a determined mood among those on the picket line to fight back, with one striker saying: "You plan out what you think you'll need for your retirement, and keep putting towards your pension pot, and then suddenly the company turns round and says you might not be getting what you thought you would. It's a disgrace".

Reports from inside the plants suggest that some sections were closed entirely, with managers desperately looking for qualified staff to keep production going on others.

Nick Hart, Birmingham Socialist Party

National Shop Steward Network supporters from Bristol and Gloucestershire joined pickets at the BMW's Swindon plant on 19 April. The pensions dispute takes place despite BMW promising to keep the scheme open to existing members when it was closed to new employees four years ago. Pickets were in a determined mood.

Matthew Carey, Bristol South Socialist Party

The strike continues with further action planned on the 3, 16, 18 and 24 May

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