FIRST Bus engineers from across Greater Glasgow are set to strike for two days later this month.
150 of the firm's workers will walk out on November 16 and November 17.
The workers, who maintain and repair the company's bus operations, are involved in an ongoing pay dispute with both First Glasgow (No1) and First Glasgow (No2).
The action comes after Unite members rejected a revised pay offer from both companies, who are part of First Group PLC's bus operations in Scotland.
The union claim the offer did not meet the "expectations" of members after years of "real term pay cuts".
Engineers who are set to strike are based in various depots across Greater Glasgow, including Scotstoun in the city's East End, Caledonia in the Southside, Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, Overtown in North Lanarkshire, and Dumbarton.
Sharon Graham Unite general secretary said: "This is a company which can afford to make a fair pay offer but has chosen not to.
"First Glasgow made profits of £4.3m last year, and First Group has shelled out millions in windfall payments to directors.
“Unite has repeatedly warned First Bus management in Greater Glasgow that our engineers will not accept a pay deal which fails to meet their expectations.
"We will support our engineering members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The union claims that the average pay per employee has "failed" to keep pace with inflation at either First Bus company.
On top of that, they believe any strike action by the engineers would have a "massive impact" on the ability of First Glasgow to maintain and repair buses in operations across Greater Glasgow.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added: “Strike action is now inevitable due to First Glasgow dragging its wheels over a fair pay offer for our members. Without the engineers First Glasgow will grind to a halt because they ensure the buses work around the clock.
“The simple fact is our members have been underpaid and undervalued for years by First Glasgow.
"They are prepared to fight for what they deserve if the companies are not willing to make a fair offer.”
A spokesperson for First Bus said: “Following further talks with union representatives, we have been unable to reach an agreement and can confirm we have been notified of their intention to hold industrial action of 16 and 17 November.
"This is despite us making an offer which would see a pay rise of over 13% over the next 12 months, well above the rate of inflation.
“In recent years, First Glasgow has heavily invested in electrifying its fleet. The investment has exceeded any profit made and has ensured we have a far more sustainable business for the future.
“At First Bus, we look after our people and pay them a fair wage relative to the role they perform in the business.
"We have invested in upskilling our Engineering colleagues with the necessary training to be able to maintain and assess new state-of-the-art electric buses.
"As part of our wider business transformation at First Bus, we have also heavily invested in improving working conditions and enhanced benefits for our colleagues.
“We will look to reopen discussions with union representatives as soon as possible.”
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