18 January, 2012Following discussions between BMW and IMF's british affiliate Unite, BMW has agreed not to proceed with its plan to close it's current pension scheme to new entrants, and that it will not use the "Swedish derogation" to avoid equal pay for agency workers.
UNITED KINGDOM: BMW and Unite agreed on January 12 to enter into a meaningful dialogue in regard to the company's pension scheme.
BMW also agreed that it will not proceed with its plan to use Regulation 10 (the "Swedish derogation") in the agency workers' regulations. Local meetings will take place between the union and the company on general conditions for the continued use of agency workers.
The agreements reached have been endorsed by all shop stewards across BMW and Rolls Royce Motor Cars in the UK.
Commenting on the agreement, Roger Maddison, national officer said: "As always we are prepared to have meaningful discussions with companies in the car industry. Unite is determined to protect all the terms and conditions of our members and ensure that agency workers are treated fairly, in the true spirit of the agency workers' legislation."