Unite Scotland yesterday confirmed that around 60 workers will take part in an industrial action ballot to protest what they call an “absolute insult” pay offer.

The union says First is offering a group of workers, including bus cleaners and shunters, an increase of 5.5% over two years.

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It said this would bring a number of workers to a wage of £9.48 per hour backdated to last August, two pence below the adult minimum wage from April this year of £9.50 per hour.

First confirmed it will comply with national minimum wage levels in April and said “all employees meet current national minimum wage rates and will continue to [do so] after April 1”.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “First Bus’s offer is a complete insult.

"It’s two pence less than the adult minimum wage for this year but with First Glasgow’s companies sitting on £12.6 million in profits they have no business whatsoever keeping workers on breadline wages.

"Our members are standing up against boardroom greed and will have the full support of Unite in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Wendy Dunsmore, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite’s cleaners and shunters are the heart of the company, and they are the glue that keeps all the other sections together. Without this workforce, First Glasgow could not operate.

"Yet, they are being treated without any respect and they are on poverty pay with inferior terms and conditions. It’s shameful that the workers are having to resort to an industrial action ballot.”

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If successful, the ballot for industrial action will see strikes take place from early May to late July.

In response to the impending threat of action Duncan Cameron, managing director for First Bus Scotland, said: "We have been notified by Unite of plans to conduct a consultative ballot on industrial action with fleet and facilities support members in First Glasgow.

"We are in negotiations with union representatives and constructive dialogue will continue as part of that process.

“I can confirm all First Bus employees meet current national minimum wage rates and will continue to meet that criteria when the new national minimum wage comes into effect on April 1.

“Since March 2020, passenger numbers have fallen by nearly a third and have still not fully recovered.

"As a business, we want to reward and recognise our team members but we have to balance that against rising operational costs we are currently experiencing.

“It is essential First Glasgow continues to operate on a financially sustainable basis to allow for further reinvestment in zero emissions vehicles to continue our journey towards a fully zero emission fleet by 2035.”