Pay offer ends city bus strikes

Drivers had already carried out one round of strike action

Bus drivers in Aberdeen have voted overwhelmingly to accept a new pay offer, ending the prospect of more strike action.

First Bus made the new offer earlier this week after buses in the city were brought to a standstill last Saturday by industrial action.

About 80% of staff voted to accept the new offer of 4.5% backdated to April, plus a one-off £100 bonus.

T&G Unite union members had wanted 5% after rejecting a 4% offer.

Strike action had been planned for 48 hours both this weekend and next.

'Acceptable solution'

Tommy Campbell of T&G Unite said: "I would not like people to think we are some sort of strike-happy union.

"I am glad it was our our members that made the decisive decision to stand up to this company."

George Mair, managing director of First in Aberdeen, said: "There is no doubt this has been a lengthy and drawn-out process, but we have worked at all times to find an acceptable solution and the efforts we made to reach today's agreement are testament to that.

"I can only apologise to our customers that were inconvenienced."