UNITE the union has confirmed that Inverness-based Bear Scotland maintenance workers who deliver services for major roads including the A9 trunk road from Perth to Inverness have secured union recognition and a wage win.
Unite revealed it secured a negotiated trade union recognition agreement with Bear Scotland in a ‘historic first’ for the workers alongside delivering pay increases up to 7.25% and improvements to standby payments.
The union added that it managed to accelerate the pay grade timeframes for workers, meaning they will now reach higher pay levels over shorter periods of time. The agreement brings the dispute to a close after the workers had overwhelmingly backed industrial action to secure a better pay deal.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Unite’s members working for Bear Scotland based in Inverness took a brave stand against their company by being prepared to take strike action if necessary. It has ultimately delivered not only a good pay deal but union recognition with Bear Scotland. It’s a great example of Unite backing our members all the way to achieve better jobs, pay and conditions.”
A9 road maintenance works are primarily focused on the A9 Dualling programme between Perth and Inverness, which will convert the single carriageway to dual carriageway by 2035.
Unite industrial officer Marc Jackson added, “Unite is delighted to have successfully negotiated an improved wage offer from Bear Scotland which was overwhelmingly backed by our members. The pay negotiations also lead to the company voluntarily agreeing to a trade union recognition agreement with Unite which will provide our members with a route to securing better pay, working hours, and holidays in the future.”
