UNITE engineers at First Glasgow are celebrating a bumper 13.3 per cent pay rise in a deal their union says “sets a benchmark for the industry.”

The 18-month deal, backdated to April, will see the wage of engineers at depots across Greater Glasgow — including Blantyre, Caledonia, Dumbarton, Overtown and Scotstoun — grow by almost £4,700 a year.

Building on the previous agreement in November 2023, which delivered a whopping 17.6 per cent — or £5,000 — pay rise, it will mean that engineers’ wages have been boosted by £9,700 since 2023 through deals secured by their union.

Pleased the company “rightly recognised the skills and talents of the engineers,” Unite industrial officer Pat McIlvogue said: “First Glasgow engineers have won a great result which significantly lifts wages. 

“We believe the deal sets a benchmark for the industry and Unite is delighted to have delivered it.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: ”To deliver successive important wage increases is a fantastic result for our members.”