UNITE has won recognition and a wage boost of up to 7.25 per cent for workers at road maintenance firm Bear Scotland.

Workers had overwhelmingly backed industrial action at the Inverness-based firm last month after they rejected a £12.75 pay offer for the lowest grades and £14.25 for the highest — increases of 75p and £1 respectively, despite other similar firms paying their workers £16 per hour.

The ballot was enough to focus the employer — responsible for the maintenance of lifeline roads across the north and west, including the key Perth and Inverness A9 route — with Unite not only securing formal recognition and a pay boost, but accelerated timeframes for workers to move up through pay grades. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham hailed the agreement as a “great example of Unite backing our members all the way to achieve better jobs, pay and conditions.”

She 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.”