BMW CULL: Agency workers left in limbo (From Oxford Mail)

BMW CULL: Agency workers left in limbo

6:30am Thursday 19th February 2009

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HUNDREDS of agency staff at the Cowley Mini plant do not know if they are among the 850 workers axed by BMW, it emerged last night.

While 350 have definitely been laid off after the weekend shift was scrapped, the remaining 620 workers who work on the two other weekday shifts will only find out their fate on Monday morning — with 500 definitely being axed.

And there has been further confusion after it emerged some letters sent by the Manpower and right4staff agencies informing workers of the change had not even been received.

Michael Harper, 38, from Wood Farm, said he had not received any notification of whether he was among the 120 agency staff retained by BMW or whether he had in fact lost his job.

He said: “I have not had any letter from them so I don’t know what is happening to me.”

Another worker, who declined to be named, added: “I don’t know whether I’ve got a job or not.

“I have not received any letter from Manpower about what’s going on.

“I am going into the factory on Monday ready to work but if I lose my job I will be homeless.

“I am just living from day to day and I can’t plan anything. It’s disgusting the way the Government is allowing this type of business to go on.”

The agencies say workers will be spoken to on an individual basis when they arrive on Monday.

Most will be told they are being made redundant, 120 will be retained and some will be allowed to stay on for a few weeks to fill any staffing gaps in production.

But there is also doubt over whether all of the agency staff will turn up – most of them owe the company 37 hours from their working time account, so they will have to work the entire week without pay.

Plant union convenor Bernard Moss said: “They will be expected to turn up for work next week and be considered for re-employment.

“Some will get a week’s notice and others might be identified as staying on.”

BMW plant spokesman Rebecca Baxter said anyone who did not turn up for work would be automatically dismissed.

She added: “These people are not working for free.

“We have always paid people their basic wage during the shutdowns of the plant.

“It would be very unfortunate if they decided simply not to turn up.

“I understand it is a very difficult situation but it would be unfortunate if good people dismissed themselves.”

Judith Thompson, a spoke-sman for agancy right4staff, said a letter informing weekday agency workers of the decision to drop the weekend shift had been posted last Saturday to arrive on Monday morning.

She added: “It is our understanding that our staff know that they need to be in work on Monday.

“We have attempted to make it as clear as possible.”

l Anyone agency worker who remains confused about the situation is being urged to call right4staff on 07900 265148 or 07765 886530 or Manpower on 01865 824197.

business@oxfordmail.com

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