'Brilliant' pay win at Oxford MINI plant

Warehouse strikes at the Oxford MINI plant have ended after workers employed by logistics firm Rudolph & Hellman secured a pay deal worth 21 per cent over two years.

Around 225 workers, made up of warehouse staff and shunter drivers handling components for the factory, will receive a 19 per cent pay rise over two years.

In addition, the workers will receive a lump sum worth 2 per cent, bringing the total increase to 21 per cent – worth around £4,000 per year for a dayshift worker.

The deal also includes increases to overtime rates and more working time protections.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a brilliant win for our Rudolph & Hellman members at MINI Oxford. Their determination and solidarity achieved this increase and they are now, rightly, £4,000 better off.

“This result is the latest in a number of excellent pay deals secured for Unite members. Our strategy of always prioritising the jobs, pay and conditions of workers is paying dividends.”

Since strike action began on 26 April, Unite’s membership at Rudolph & Hellman at MINI has increased from around 150 to approximately 225.

Unite regional officer Scott Kemp added, “The result is testament to the efforts of Unite’s Rudolph & Hellman reps and organiser Lewis Norton who have been working on this campaign for 18 months.

“Workers wanting improved pay and T&Cs are better off in Unite, which is why there was such a large increase in membership at Rudolph & Hellman over the course of the dispute.”

By Ryan Fletcher