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Strike action among HGV drivers at Imperial Logistics working on the BMW Mini contract in Oxford has been abandoned after they secured a “bumper” pay rise.

A six-day strike, due to commence on 9 November, was called off after workers accepted an improved pay offer worth 27% over two years.

The Unite union said it also secured pay parity on the Mini contract, the continuation of unsocial hours’ payments and a lump sum payment of £3,500 in lieu of back pay.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “This is an exceptional result.

“It is an excellent example of how Unite now intends to focus all its energy and power on fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of our members.

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“That is the future.”

The HGV drivers had protested at the original pay increase being just £2 less than the hourly rate being paid to those employed on an agency basis.

Unite said the strikes could have stopped the production line at Cowley completely.

Unite regional officer Scott Kemp said: “Unite made clear from the outset that our members were not going to tolerate the injustice of being paid less than agency workers.

“Once the management at Imperial Logistics understood how determined our members were to resolve this matter an agreement was reached and strike action averted.”

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