Glasgow 2014: Games bus strike threat averted

A STRIKE threat by 150 bus engineers which could have disrupted next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been averted, First Glasgow said today.

A strike ballot proposed by First Glasgow staff has been called off. Picture: Donald Macleod

A spokeswoman for the city’s main operator said the union Unite had scrapped a strike ballot it announced last week following “successful” talks today over a pay deal.

It said union officials would recommend approval of the 1.2 per cent increase in a fresh vote next week.

First Glasgow managing director Fiona Kerr said: “I’m pleased we’ve made swift progress and hope our engineers endorse their union’s recommendation to accept the pay award.

“The only way this dispute was going to be resolved was through positive dialogue and I’m pleased that through [concilliation service] Acas we were able to do so.”

Talks are continuing in a separate dispute among 270 Glasgow Subway staff over extra pay during the Games, operator Strathclyde Partnership for Transport said today.

The RMT rail union announced last week it had secured an extra £275 for its members at ScotRail working during the Games.

Talks between the train operator and Aslef, the main train drivers’ union, over extra payments were continuing tonight.