Around 200 Unite members reject ‘unacceptable’ pay offer

Unite the union announced today (28 April) that around 200 workers employed by Xplore Dundee are being balloted on strike action in a brewing dispute over pay.

The bus workers involved in the ballot include drivers, duty managers, platform staff, and administrative staff. The workforce based from the East Dock Street depot have overwhelmingly rejected a 7 per cent pay offer made by Xplore Dundee. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Xplore Dundee workers are rightly demanding a fair and decent pay rise. The company has significantly improved its finances and come through the Covid pandemic in a good position. 

Xplore Dundee can afford to pay more but they are instead offering a real terms pay cut which is unacceptable. Unite will support our members in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Despite several rounds of negotiations, Unite has been informed by Xplore Dundee management that there will be no improvement on the current 7 per cent offer. The broader rate of inflation (RPI) stands at 13.5 per cent.

The ballot opens 5 May and closes 18 May.

Dougie Maguire, Unite regional coordinating officer said: “Unite has repeatedly tried to engage with Xplore Dundee but we have hit a brick wall in pay talks. Management have now essentially said there is a 7 per cent take it or leave it offer in the full knowledge that our members have emphatically rejected it. 

It is Xplore Dundee escalating this dispute, potentially to strike action, rather than getting back round the table with us to resolve this with an improved pay offer.”

Xplore Dundee’s operating profiting increased to £304,565 in the January 2021 to January 2022 period - up from a loss of £193,056 in the year ending December 2020. The bus company was acquired by the Renfrewshire based McGill’s group in December 2020.

ENDS