BMW JOB LOSSES: Workers find out who goes (From Oxford Mail)

BMW JOB LOSSES: Workers find out who goes

8:17pm Tuesday 24th February 2009 in

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A Former BMW worker has described his feelings at losing his job at the company’s Oxford factory.

Milosz Siedlecki spent three years as an assembly line worker at the company’s Cowley Mini Plant after arriving in the UK from Poland.

But today, he found himself among the first ‘blue’ shift workers to be axed as part of the company’s plans to lay off 850 agency staff.

The 26-year-old handed back his ID badge before being escorted from the plant shortly after 1pm.

Mr Siedlecki, of Phipps Road, Cowley, Oxford, said: “I was called off the track and five minutes later I found out it was all over.

“I knew it was coming. I hope I will be able to find a job, but it is hard to get a job right now.”

The car giant has announced it intends to lay off 500 agency staff over the course of this week.

Another 350 agency staff were let go last Monday after the manufacturer decided it would end its weekend shift.

Permanent contract staff who did work on the weekend ‘yellow’ shift will now work on weekdays, replacing agency workers on the ‘blue’ and ‘red’ shifts.

Representatives from BMW’s two main staff agencies, Manpower and right4staff, have been informing the agency workers they are no longer required on a one-to-one basis inside the plant since yesterday.

Every worker who finds themselves out of a job is given a letter explaining they will no longer be required because of the changing shift patterns.

Mr Siedlecki was told he would not have to work back more than 100 hours he owed the company in his ‘Working Time Account’.

He was also told he will be paid for the next seven days, but said nobody told him about returning his uniform.

Mr Siedlecki said: “For a long time we just heard rumours that eventually came true. I am happy because I wanted to leave, although the money was good.

“But my friend in there has got a girlfriend, two kids and bills to pay. He is afraid. What is going to happen if he loses his job? He might be in trouble.”

A BMW spokesman said: “We have started communication of plans and will continue with agency workers receiving one-to-one briefings this week.”

ghamilton@oxfordmail.co.uk