Around 50 First Glasgow bus workers have accepted a 5% pay rise, ending the ongoing threat of strike action.
The workers, who are cleaners, fuellers and shunters, are based at the Caledonia, Scotstoun, Blantyre and Overtown bus depots. They are members of the union Unite.
First Bus offered an enhanced 5% pay offer, which saw planned strike action from 13-17 January suspended to allow for a ballot on the deal. It was overwhelmingly accepted by the workers.
The employees originally decided to strike because they argued they were the lowest paid workers at First Bus. They asked for any proposed pay increases to be brought into line with other bargaining groups, including drivers.
Unite argued that First Glasgow could afford a higher pay offer because its combined profits across the depots totalled £14.1 million in March 2024 and £11.2 million in March 2025.
A ballot for strike action last year lasted from 19 November to 16 December. A successful ballot would have resulted in strike action taking place in late December, and the workers unanimously voted for it.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite’s members have secured a pay win at First Glasgow after standing firm. It was only the threat of strike action which ensured the organisation came back to the negotiating table with an enhanced offer.”
Graham McNab, industrial officer at Unite, added: “We are pleased that the pay dispute has been successfully resolved. First Glasgow ultimately had to listen to the workers who simply wanted a fair and reasonable pay offer, which they got in the end after showing the organisation that they were fully prepared to fight to get it.”
First Glasgow was contacted for comment prior to publication.
