WORKERS at the Cowley Mini plant have voted almost unanimously to reject a pay offer that included a move to cut tea breaks by 11 minutes.

The result means industrial action, which could include a strike, is a step closer.

Fred Hanna, regional officer for the Unite union, told the Oxford Mail: ”More than 2,000 permanent workers at the plant were balloted. More than 96 per cent of them rejected the offer.”

He added: “The six per cent BMW offered was only 2.3 per cent in real terms — a fact that the management tried to camouflage.

“This is because 1.7 per cent disappeared because of the tea break cut. And two per cent was on the bonus — an uncertain amount.”

BMW spokesman Rebecca Baxter said: “It is disappointing that the company’s offer of a six per cent pay increase has been rejected. A date has been set to recommence negotiations with our union representatives.”

Ms Baxter declined to say exactly when talks will start.

Mr Hanna said: “We wanted a large rejection and we got one. Now management have seen sense and invited us back to the negotiating table.”

But he added that even with pay negotiations being reopened, steps towards industrial action will continue.

He said: “The proper process will go on. We are engaging with the Electoral Reform Society to ballot workers on industrial action.”