First Bus engineers have called off their plans for strike action following a pay deal. 

Unite have confirmed today that around 150 engineers, who are based across Greater Glasgow and employed by First Glasgow (No1) and First Glasgow (No2), will see a 17.6% increase on their hourly wage.

We previously reported that engineers were set to walk out on November 16 and November 17 after Unite members rejected a revised pay offer from First Glasgow which did not meet the "expectations" of members after years of "real term pay cuts".

The strike action has now been called off as workers will see an increase in wages from £15.31 to £17.50 initially, and thereafter to a minimum of £18 per hour in April 2024.

Sharon Graham Unite general secretary said: “Unite’s engineers at First Bus across Greater Glasgow have secured an excellent new pay deal. We said all along that this is a company which can well afford to make a fair pay offer and this proved to be the case. 

“We now urge First Bus management to urgently revisit their pay offer to our 1,200 drivers and settle that dispute through negotiations. If they do not, then Unite will fully support our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite has won a major pay increase for our engineering members at First Bus. It will lift the basic hourly wage up to a minimum of £18 an hour. 

"All along we have said our members have been underpaid and undervalued for years while First Bus stockpiled millions in its bank account. We are pleased to have resolved this dispute through negotiation and ahead of scheduled strike action.”

Around 1,200 Unite bus drivers are involved in a similar pay dispute with First Bus, which will see strike action on Friday, November 24 until December 1 unless there is a breakthrough in pay talks.

First Bus have been contacted for comment.