Bus drivers agree new pay package

Drivers staged strike action over the pay dispute

Strike action by First bus drivers in central and east Scotland has ended after staff accepted an improved pay deal, union bosses have said.

Up to 800 drivers staged a series of one and two-day walkouts last month.

Last week, drivers in the central region agreed to accept the package of £8 an hour, backdated to 3 October this year, rising to £8.25 on 11 December.

Drivers in Edinburgh and the Lothians threw out the offer, but have now voted to accept a repackaged deal.

This would see them get an hourly rate of £8 from the end of October, going up to £8.25 in November.

They are currently paid £7.40 an hour.

Significant improvement

Two thirds of those balloted backed the offer, which had been recommended by the union.

A T&G spokesman said: "This dispute is now over and bus services will return to normal.

"The final offer does represent a significant improvement and was the best we felt was available in the circumstances."

First operations director Juliette Turner said the company was pleased that drivers had voted in favour of the proposal.

"On behalf of First, I would like to apologise to our customers for the industrial action over recent weeks," she added.