Who is planning to take action?
Around 50 staff who work at four First Bus depots, including the two in Glasgow at Scotstoun and Gorbals, whose duties are cleaning and refuelling vehicles, are in dispute with their employer over a pay offer.
The company has made an offer of 8.4% over two years but the union has rejected it and accused First of “penny pinching”.
What stage is the action at?
Unite the Union has obtained a mandate for strike action following a ballot of its members at the depots which took place over November and December last year.
No date has been set for strike action yet, as talks were continuing this week.
Are bus drivers involved in the action?
No. The dispute does not involve drivers but staff who prepare the buses before they go on the road.
Will Buses be running if a strike goes ahead?
The union said “Without the cleaning, refuelling and re-charging of First Glasgow’s fleet then buses across Glasgow will have to be taken off the roads for safety, cleanliness and re-charging reasons.”
However, First Bus said it is “confident bus services will not be affected”.
What does the Union say?
Unite industrial officer Graham McNabb added: “Unite can confirm that we have a mandate for strike action for First Bus cleaners, fuellers and shunters at the Caledonia, Scotstoun, Blantyre and Overtown bus depots. .
“We remain in constant dialogue with our membership and no final decision has been taken on when strike action takes place. Let’s remember First Glasgow are an extremely profitable company.
The root cause of this dispute is down to their penny pinching and denying our members what they deserve across Glasgow when they can easily afford to settle this dispute.”
What does First Bus say?
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus in Scotland, said: “We are disappointed in the decision of Unite to announce plans for industrial action.
“The original pay offer we have made of 8.4 per cent over two years is above current inflation for each annual increase. It also ensures colleagues continue to be among the best paid for these depot support roles.
“The management team at First Bus in Glasgow remains committed to reaching a settlement and joined extensive talks at the arbitration service, ACAS on Tuesday in the hope of finding an agreement. Despite attempts towards further improved offers we have been unable to reach an agreement through this process.
“If the planned industrial action takes place, we are confident bus services will not be affected. The Glasgow team is ready and willing to continue discussions and we encourage Unite to join us so we can finalise a settlement and help avoid any potential disruption to the daily lives of our customers.”
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