The threat of industrial action at the Cowley car plant has disappeared after workers voted to accept BMW’s latest pay offer.

Last month union leaders threw down the gauntlet to managers at the BMW Mini factory after they proposed cutting tea breaks by 11 minutes, in return for a six per cent pay rise.

But yesterday, union members at the Oxford plant voted by a two to one majority to accept a revised deal, which will see them get a 6.8 per cent pay rise over the next two years, with tea breaks unchanged.

Unite union regional officer Fred Hanna said: “It has been a good result. A done deal, with no strings attached.

“There has been a sensible approach by the company and that has been reflected in the members’ vote.”

He added that workers would receive the first payment under the deal in their June pay packets, which would be backdated to January.

Negotiations had been going on since November last year.

The previous offer was rejected almost unanimously by the workforce, prompting the threat of a further ballot for industrial action among the 3,700-strong workforce.

But union officials recommended the latest offer be accepted.

BMW spokesman Rebecca Baxter said: “We are pleased the workforce has accepted the pay offer.”

l Global sales of the Mini dipped slightly last month.

A total of 23,789 cars were sold during the month, down 0.2 per cent on March, according to BMW.

For the year to date, Mini sales worldwide are up 8.6 per cent on last year, with 92,000 cars sold.