An end to the Aberdeen bus strikes

After weeks of disruption, the Aberdeen bus strikes are finally at an end.

After the threat of indefinite walkouts earlier this week, First Aberdeen came back to the table with an improved contract offer for drivers.

They had been angry at plans to make them work longer hours for less.

After being balloted on Wednesday and Thursday, they voted 60% in favour.

Willie Wallace Unite’s Regional Officer said: “The union members have decided by a 3:2 majority to accept the latest deal offered by First Bus. Throughout the industrial action the members have stood their ground in the face of outrageous demands on wages and conditions from the company. As a result this deal has been accepted because we have forced First Bus to make considerable concessions on their original proposals.”

He told Northsound News: "It's been a long and difficult dispute, our members have been resolute in their action... We can now hopefully put this matter to rest and move on, and build some bridges that we may have to build with First Bus."

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director for First Aberdeen said:

“We are delighted with the news that Unite the Union members have today voted in favour of accepting the new terms and conditions package, negotiated and recommended by their representatives earlier this week. This has been a challenging process for everyone involved, but we now must look to quickly mend relationships and get back to providing the best possible bus service for the city of Aberdeen. I would like to apologise to our customers for the disruption that they have endured over recent weeks but they can now be assured that First Aberdeen services will resume back to normal with immediate effect.

“Our aim at the start of this process was to reach an agreement with Unite that helps us to secure the future of the business in the city and whilst there has been a compromise on both sides, this final package of terms and conditions is one that will help the Company achieve this goal. The new proposal includes a two-year pay deal that has been negotiated and agreed by both sides which will provide a stable platform for the business in the long term.

“Hopefully now we can all move on and work together to get the city of Aberdeen moving again. This dispute has only served to highlight to everyone just how vital our bus services are to the people of Aberdeen. We would like to thank our customers for their patience during this period while we sought out a solution and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.