Fear Of A Strike At MINI Cowley Plant

The Oxford Times reports workers at the Cowley MINI plant are being urged by their union to reject a six per cent pay rise that includes a condition to cut tea breaks by 11 minutes. If it is rejected the article says it would trigger a second vote on carrying out the first wave of industrial action in 28 years at the plant.

The Times indicates that, currently there are two paid tea breaks during the average 10.5 hour shift at the plant – one of 26 minutes in the morning and the other 27 minutes in the afternoon.

Staff also get 30 minutes unpaid for lunch.

If the pay deal is accepted it will take the average production line worker’s salary to between £23,000 (approx. $37,000 USD) and £24,000 (approx. $38,500 USD) a year, depending on their grading.