BMW workers in temporary lay-off

The Cowley plant is where BMW manufactures the Mini

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 on Friday morning.

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.

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.

Vehicles have been produced at Cowley since 1913

"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.

One BMW worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said workers would probably have to work extra hours in future not to lose out on pay.

"It all depends how long this strike will go on for, as to how many hours we will lose," he said.

He said he did not want to end up owing the company extra hours.

"Some of the people aren't very happy because they are having to do it on working time account, which is hours that they had built up to have off at times when they would like to have time off," he added.

About 700 Minis are produced every day at Cowley, where 4,700 people work three shifts, seven days per week.

The car production factory has been in Cowley since 1913 with BMW taking over in 2001.

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