IT is heartening to see BMW and its workforce at Oxford’s Mini plant have settled on a new pay award without too many public disagreements.

As we report today, a deal has been struck that sees a rise for all permanent and agency staff of 3.7 per cent in the first 12 months and then a second year settlement of 0.3 per cent on top of the Retail Price Index (which currently sits at two per cent).

The first year settlement is above inflation and takes the average wage for workers on the production line to a few pennies shy of £27,000. Tellingly, more than three-quarters of the balloted workforce was in favour of the offer.

Unite convener Chris Bond was right when he said it was a recognition of the hard work being put in by staff.

There is pressure on at the plant because of the demand for the world’s favourite little motor but it is a good pressure, he said, and shows the company is prepared to share its success with the people who power it.

The past six years have been a long and hard slog economically.

For many firms the ability to just standstill during the recession was an achievement in itself, and the unspoken agreement with workforces across the city, county and country was that when times improved, so would the pay awards.

Hopefully other Oxfordshire firms can follow BMW’s lead.