(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
UK workers employed at the BMW plants have voted to strike in a fight over pensions, the Unite union has announced.
These workers employed for making Rolls-Royce and Mini engines are planning to strike as their final salary pension scheme is being closed.
The union said the proposed order would mean that some UK workers "lose up to £160,000 in retirement income".
Timeline 27 Sep 2016 BMW says come 2017 old pension schemes to close
BMW, the German car giant announced its plans to close its two final-salary pension plans for almost 5,000 employees in Britain.
BMW said that the high pensions had made business 'unsustainable'.
It further revealed that from June 2017 it planned to "close its two defined-benefit pension schemes to future contributions" and substitute workers over to its less bountiful contribution pension scheme.
27 Sep 2016 Unite union hits back at BMW for its pension decision
The Unite union of workers displayed rage at the decision and said the workers would "lose thousands of pounds a year" in retirement incomes if the plan was approved.
Unite union said: "This is plainly unacceptable, and Unite will be fighting this proposal tooth and claw."
Moreover, the union said BMW had completed its "sixth record-breaking year" and sustainability wasn't a concern.
03 Mar 2017 BMW workers are set to be balloted for strike action
Approximately 4,500 Unite members workers who are affected by BMW's occupational pension plan at 5 British plants will vote from "Mar. 10, with the vote due to close on Mar. 31."
In November 2016, the workers had supported strike action in a consultative vote.
The BMW bosses have met with Unite union representatives to avoid industrial action but it has proven unfruitful.
Fact BMW can't afford a strike
BMW builds over 200,000 Minis in its Oxford plant, and strikes would be a big problem for the embattled UK car industry.
02 Apr 2017 Losing pension drives BMW workers to strike
UK workers employed at the BMW plants have voted to strike in a fight over pensions, the Unite union has announced.
These workers employed for making Rolls-Royce and Mini engines are planning to strike as their final salary pension scheme is being closed.
The union said the proposed order would mean that some UK workers "lose up to £160,000 in retirement income".
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