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HUNDREDS of agency workers at MINI Plant Oxford are set for a more comfortable Christmas after being guaranteed job security beyond 2020. A deal between BMW and Unite has seen a significant proportion of agency workers at the factory in Cowley become full-time. The futures of thousands of agency workers across BMW sites in the UK have also been secured at Swindon Pressing, and Hams Hall. Seven hundred of these workers were told before Christmas that they were to be made permanent with another 300 expected to hear the good news in the New Year. Oxford East MP Andrew Smith was delighted to hear the news. “This welcome BMW announcement is great news for Cowley and the whole community, and a credit to the Unite union who have been pressing for many more agency workers to be given permanent contracts,” Mr Smith said. “It will be great this Christmas for many long-standing agency workers to know they now have the prospect of a permanent pe contract.” The deal guaran guarantees workers job security beyond beyo 2020 and they will join the ccompany’s car
By Jack Johnson jack@taylornewspapers.co.uk
scheme, receive paid holidays, sick pay and will be eligible to join the company pension scheme. Unite and BMW have also agreed to an annual review of the scheme in order to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Roger Maddison, Unite national secretary, 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. “This is what Unite does up and down the country on a day to day basis.” He added: “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.” Neither Unite or BMW could confi rm how many agency workers had been made full-time at the Cowley plant when contacted by the Oxford Journal.