FIRST Bus engineers across Glasgow and the West of Scotland have voted in favour of strike action following an ongoing pay dispute.

It comes after Unite Scotland confirmed that around 150 workers from the firm backed the action.

The workers at First Glasgow (No1) and First Glasgow (No2), who are part of the company’s operations in Scotland, are involved in an escalating pay dispute.

The engineers are based at the firm's depots including Scotstoun, Dumbarton, Blantyre, Overtown, and Dumbarton.

Now, Unite have warned that if there is no “positive outcome” in talks to resolve the dispute, they will have “no option” to notify the firm of imminent industrial action – which could take place from the middle of October.

They said: “Any industrial action by the engineers would have a massive impact on the ability of First Glasgow to maintain and repair buses in operation across Greater Glasgow.

“Bus services are already under significant strain with bus frequency and routes have been successively axed over a number of years.”

Sharen Graham, Unite General secretary added: “Unite’s First Bus engineers across Greater Glasgow have emphatically backed strike action. The pay offer on the table just doesn’t cut it.

“First Bus have plenty of money sitting in the bank.

"There is one final chance for First Bus to avert strike action. If they do not take this chance then our members will have no option but to take action in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added: “Support for strike action by our First Bus engineers is rock solid.

"They provide round-the-clock maintenance and repair work for First Bus’ fleet across Greater Glasgow.”

“Talks with Acas are scheduled for next week but if there is not a breakthrough, we will have no hesitation to issue strike notices.

"Our members deserve far more than what’s been offered. First Bus has one last opportunity to make a fair offer before any strike action starts.”

A First Bus spokesperson said: “We have been notified by Unite of the outcome of a consultative ballot on industrial action with engineering team members in First Glasgow.

“We are meeting with union representatives next week under the auspices of ACAS to work together to reach a resolution.“