Unite has confirmed today (Wednesday 19 November) that workers
who clean and refuel buses for First Bus in Glasgow are being
balloted over jobs, pay and conditions.
Around 50 First Bus cleaners, fuellers and shunters at the
Caledonia, Scotstoun, Blantyre and Overtown bus depots are
involved in the dispute.
The bus workers and cleaners are demanding that a proposed pay
increase is brought into line with other bargaining groups
including drivers, because they are the lowest paid within the
First group.
Without the cleaning, refuelling and re-charging of First
Glasgow's fleet then buses across Glasgow will have to be taken
off the roads for safety, cleanliness and re-charging
reasons.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “First
Glasgow's pay offer across its bus depots is totally
unacceptable. The company is making tens of millions in profits
and can afford to award the workers with an increase which brings
them in line with the drivers' pay
award. “
First Bus can't operate across Glasgow without our
members, and they have Unite's full support in their fight for
better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The ballot opens today (19 November) and closes on 16
December. If the ballot is successful, then strike
action is expected to take place from late December.
First Glasgow's combined profits across the depots totalled
£14.1m (First Glasgow No.1) in March 2024, and £11.2M (First
Glasgow No.2) registered in March 2025.
Unite industrial officer Graham McNabb
added: “Glasgow residents will be alarmed that
strike action is fast approaching but this dispute is entirely a
result of First's penny pinching. Our members are simply seeking
parity with other groups of
workers.
“First Glasgow are extremely profitable and can
easily afford to bring this dispute to an end today by giving our
members what they deserve.”
