Factory workers criticised union officials after 850 were axed at BMW’s Cowley car plant this morning.

Hundreds of agency workers making the Mini were taken into a separate building and informed of the job cuts at about 5.30am — just one hour before their shift was due to finish.

Angry workers said staff hurled fruit and vegetables at union leaders when they were informed.

Many remained furious as they left the plant this morning, many angrily beeping their horns and screeching their car tyres.

Roger Freitis, 26, of Cowley, said: “We’ve been here all weekend asking what is going to happen and they said nothing.

“Then an hour before the end they round us up and say we are going.

“No redundancy, nothing, just an hour’s notice. It’s disgusting.”

Adam Mason, 30, of Cowley, said: “Clearly someone knew this was going to happen. People were very angry in there.

“Where has the union been all this time? Why did I bother paying my subscription — they did nothing for us.”

Bart Hryniow, 25, of Headington, said: “The union has been speaking to them for three weeks and we all get told an hour before we leave.

“People were upset and throwing eggs and apples at the union. Everyone was very angry.”

With the weekend shift axed, all full-time staff will now work revised weekday shifts when production at the plant resumes a week today.