STRIKES by workers at car giant BMW have been suspended while a new offer on pensions is considered.

Employees at the company’s Stratton plant have over the past four weeks staged a series of walkouts and were due to strike again today and on Sunday as part of a campaign against the closure of their final salary pension scheme.

But now the planned strikes will not go ahead as workers decide whether nor not to accept the offer presented by bosses.

John McGookin, Swindon’s Unite representative, said: “I can confirm that the strike tomorrow and on Sunday has been suspended.

“The company has tabled an offer which we will be taking back to the workforce to consider. Subject to the details, the members will be expected to make a decision on that in due course.”

The details of the offer are yet to be made public and the result of the ballot is expected to be announced on June 12.

Workers at BMW’s Stratton plant walked out on Tuesday for the third time in four weeks as part of a series of 24 hour strikes.

Unite claims that the company’s decision to close the final salary pension scheme could see some workers lose up to £160,000 in retirement income.

After receiving notification of the decision to suspend the strike, a spokesman from BMW said: “This follows further negotiations today in which the company tabled a final offer in relation to proposed changes to its UK pension arrangements.

“The company is keeping all staff fully informed and we await further feedback from Unite following its ballot. We believe the offer to be fair and in the long-term interests of both the company and all our employees.”

Unite national officer Fred Hanna described yesterday’s developments in triumphant tones, praising the resolve of members.

He said: “While Unite is not recommending the offer, as it will have different outcomes for different people and their pensions, members should be proud that by standing together they have forced BMW into making this offer.

“Without the action that Unite members have taken and the resolve they have shown in recent weeks, BMW would not have made this latest offer, which Unite believes members should have an opportunity to consider.”

The details of the offer will not be released until all members have been briefed.