Workers from Cowley’s Mini Plant are heading to Germany to protest the planned closure of a pension scheme.

Some eleven BMW employees will gather outside the car manufacturer’s Munich headquarters tomorrow and hand in a petition demanding action.

The Unite union members will be joined from a number of workers from plants at Goodwood, Hams Hall and Swindon who are also protesting ahead of possible strike action in the ongoing pensions row.

Unite national officer Tony Murphy said: “BMW bosses in Munich need to wake up to the anger their plans to close the occupational pension scheme has generated among loyal UK workers.

“Industrial action is a very real possibility by a workforce which has contributed significantly to the BMW Group’s record breaking profits and sales.

“UK workers feel as though they are being taken for a ride. BMW bosses say, on the one hand, they want to negotiate seriously, but on the other, refuse to talk about affordable options which would keep the scheme open.

“We urge BMW to stop its pension robbery which could see UK workers lose tens of thousands of pounds in retirement income and negotiate a settlement which is good for the business and good for the workforce.”

A ballot calling on strike action closes on Friday.