Walk-out avoided over bus drivers shortage

THE prospect of strike action by First Glasgow bus drivers has been averted after talks.

Trade union officials reached a deal with the firm after “protracted negotiations”.

Workers had threatened to walk out over a “substantial shortage” of drivers. Trade union Unite launched a consultative ballot to ask its 1,700 members employed by First Glasgow whether they would be in favour of strikes or other industrial action.

The result was an overwhelming mandate to proceed to an official ballot for industrial action.

A spokesman for First Glasgow said he was “disappointed and surprised” by the move to carry out a consultative ballot.

But the union insisted recruitment and retention at the bus giant has “steadily deteriorated” over the last year due to factors such as starting pay and career progression, leaving the company short of as many as 100 drivers.

It added that pressure on existing staff has been exacerbated by a failure to bring in enough temporary drivers to cover First Glasgow’s one-month contract providing replacement bus services while the Glasgow Subway is shut for repairs.

It was revealed yesterday the Subway will be out of commission for an additional two weeks, putting further strain on bus services.

The prospect of industrial action has now been averted following what the union described as “protracted negotiations”.

Unite has now secured an agreement with First Glasgow addressing all of the issues under dispute. Unite regional officer, Wendy Dunsmore said: “Following last week’s ballot, both First Glasgow and Unite are now determined to seek a satisfactory outcome.

“The current positive dialogue means we will be halting any moves to an official industrial action ballot.”

A First Bus spokesman said: “The basis for the surprise ballot was unclear, as talks were already scheduled on a small number of topics, and these went ahead as planned. But we are pleased the threat of unnecessary industrial action has now been lifted.”