BMW staff will be staging another protest over the planned closure of its pension scheme tomorrow, Saturday 29 April, at the company’s flagship showroom on Park Lane, London.

Members of Unite union working at BMW plants in Cowley, Hams Hall, Swindon and Rolls-Royce in Goodwood will be protesting from 11am to 1pm over the decision to terminate their defined benefit pension scheme.

The scheme, which is set to close the scheme on 31 May 2017, could lead to some workers losing up to £160,000 in retirement income.

Tomorrow’s strike comes after two 24 hour strikes, which have caused considerable disruptions in the manufacturing and delivery of new vehicles.

BMW staff have planned a further six 24 hour strikes over the next few weeks, including protests at Hams Hall on Wednesday 3 May and in Goodwood on Friday 5 May.

Commenting Unite national officer for BMW Fred Hanna said: “Our members take great pride in building the vehicles on display in BMW’s flagship showroom on Park Lane. It is because of their hard work and efficiency that BMW and its shareholders can enjoy bumper profits and record sales.

“Yet their reward from BMW bosses is the closure of their pension scheme and the potential loss of up to £160,000 in retirement income. We will be highlighting this ‘pension robbery’ and the refusal of BMW to talk about affordable options to keep the scheme open when we protest outside the carmaker’s posh Park Lane showroom.

“We 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 good for the business and the workforce.”

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