MINI workers in temporary lay-off

Hundreds of staff at BMW’s Mini factory in Oxfordshire will be temporarily forced to cease production this weekend due to Spanish fuel protests.

Management at the plant, in Cowley, have told the BBC they cannot get hold of crucial parts as all airports and ports have effectively been blocked. Unions were in discussions with the plant’s management today (Friday: June 13).

Early indications were that staff would be paid as normal although they may work some unpaid hours in the long-run. The company said it was working closely with the unions and hoped to resume production on Monday (June 16). In a statement, a BMW spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately, due to the Spanish hauliers’ strike, we are having to suspend production over the weekend.

”The situation is beyond our control and the strike is affecting manufacturers across Europe, who are unable to get parts out of Spain as all ports and airports have been blocked.

”We are unable maintain production due to a lack of crucial parts but hope to resume full production shortly.

”In the meantime, we are monitoring the situation closely and are grateful for our associates’ understanding at this time.”

Lorry drivers in Spain have been blockading major cities in a protest over diesel prices since Monday. About 700 Minis are produced every day at Cowley, where 4,700 people work three shifts, seven days per week. (Autowired: June 13).