First Bus

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More than 300 bus drivers and staff at First Aberdeen have secured a pay deal ahead of schedule.

They received an above inflation 5.3% pay rise as part of a one-year deal, effective until December 2026. The deal sees drivers’ hourly wages increase from £14.28 per hour to £15.03.

The increase was originally scheduled to come into effect in August 2026.

A separately negotiated increase was also applied to around 30 First Aberdeen workers in administrative, clerical, and service roles.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at trade union Unite, said: “Unite has secured a good pay win for hundreds of First Aberdeen drivers and workers well ahead of schedule.”

Dougie Maguire, regional coordinating officer at Unite, added: “First Aberdeen drivers and staff have secured a win which significantly lifts the wages of the workforce ahead of schedule. We have been engaged in positive negotiations with First Aberdeen and this deal helps to bring drivers into line with the market rates across Scotland.”

First Aberdeen was contacted for comment prior to publication.

Some of the benefits it offers its employees include free travel on First Bus services, a First Bus pension, First Group share purchase schemes, discounted train travel, a bikes-for-work scheme, an employee assistance programme, free 24 hour access to an online GP, and access to health plans.