First Bus drivers in Glasgow vote for strike action

More than 1,200 “underpaid and undervalued” bus drivers will walk out for a week later this month in a dispute over pay.

Unite said the First Glasgow drivers voted by 99% in support of strike action on a turnout of 77%.

Drivers will now walk out at 4am on 24 November until 3.59am on 1 December.

It comes after members rejected a pay offer which the union claims falls significantly below the pay levels of other drivers across First Group’s UK operations.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “This is a very wealthy company which has plenty of money in the bank to make a better offer to our members.

“Our members’ demand is simple – they want to be paid in line with other drivers across First Group.”

The drivers are employed by First Glasgow (No.1) and First Glasgow (No.2), which are part of First Group’s bus operations in Scotland.

They are based in the Blantyre, Caledonia, Dumbarton, Overtown and Scotstoun bus depots.

Unite said average pay per employee has failed to keep pace with inflation at either First Bus company, with a real-terms decrease of 10% at Glasgow (No.2) and 8% at Glasgow (No.1) over the last five years.

It said the cuts translate to around £3,000 per year in lost pay.

First Bus said it has made a pay offer of “a pay rise of over 11%, well above the rate of inflation”.

Around 150 Unite engineers are involved in a similar dispute at both companies – First Glasgow No.1 and No.2 – with strike action scheduled to take place on 16 and 17 November.

A First Bus spokesperson said: “In recent years, First Glasgow has heavily invested in electrifying its fleet as well as making significant pay award – the investment has exceeded any profit made and has ensured we have a far more sustainable business for the future.

“At First Bus, we look after our people and pay them a fair wage relative to the role they perform in the business. We have invested heavily in improving working conditions and enhanced benefits for our colleagues.

“We will be looking to continue discussions with union representatives in an attempt to reach a resolution.”

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