BMW makes 1,000 workers permanent

AROUND 1,000 agency workers at car giant BMW are to be made permanent employees, guaranteeing job security for years.

The change, being made in two phases, was warmly welcomed by the Unite union, describing it as a great Christmas present.

The announcement covers workers across a number of BMW sites including the Mini plant in Oxford, pressings plant in Swindon and Hams Hall engine site near Birmingham.

Unite officer Roger Maddison said: "In an uncertain world the best Christmas present for working families is job security. We are delighted that 1,000 BMW agency workers are to be made permanent with guaranteed job security beyond 2020.

"It is a prime example of unions and employers working together to make a lasting and positive impact in the workplace.

"The deal is also an indication of the strength of the car industry and the skills of the UK workforce."

BMW said: "As a major UK employer, investor and exporter, this announcement underlines BMW Group's further commitment to the UK as a strategically important production and sales location for the company.

"It comes as a result of a major £760 million investment programme from 2012-2015 to support the launch of the new Mini, a new generation of three-cylinder engines and the expansion of our business at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

"The initial recruitment phase covers 700 jobs and will start in the New Year with the recruitment process for the remaining 300 contracts starting in 2016.

"BMW Group's latest investment programme brings the company's total investment in the UK to around £2 billion since 2001 and has seen a new body shop built and equipped with 1,000 new robots at its Oxford Mini plant, the debut of various new pressings technologies at the Swindon plant and the Hams Hall engine plant being equipped for a new generation of modular three-cylinder engines."

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: "This is a welcome boost for BMW's agency workers and demonstrates the company's continuing success in this country.

"The UK's automotive industry is going from strength to strength with car manufacturing up by 17% in October compared with last year. We are continuing to work in partnership with industry to deliver jobs and growth through our industrial strategy."

By Press Association reporters