This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7755157.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Talks held over bus strike action Bus workers handed new pay deal
(1 day later)
Both sides in a pay dispute at First Bus are due to get round the table with conciliation service Acas to try to avert festive strike action. Hundreds of bus company staff planning to strike over three weekends leading up to Christmas have been offered an improved pay deal.
Hundreds of staff in Aberdeen are due to start a series of weekend walkouts if no compromise can be reached. It was made to members of the Unite T&G union from First Bus in Aberdeen following talks with the conciliation service Acas on Monday.
A 24-hour strike is planned from 0300 GMT on Saturday 6 December, with 48-hour stoppages planned to start on the following two Fridays. The union said its members would consider the offer.
First Bus said it hoped the talks at Acas would be productive. Hundreds of workers had previously voted for action over pay, with the first strike due on Saturday.
The talks with the conciliation service are being held after the company was notified of the action last week. Two further 48-hour strikes had been scheduled.
The company's offer of a 3.7% pay increase to drivers, cleaning staff and engineering staff was rejected. A pay rise of 3.7% from First Bus to its drivers, cleaning staff and engineering staff had previously been rejected.
George Mair, managing director of First in Aberdeen, said the offer "shows just how committed we are to resolving this issue and minimising any potential disruption to our passengers".
Unite T&G north east organiser Tommy Campbell said: "The strike is planned for the weekend and it will be our members over the next 48 hours that will determine whether they find this slightly revised offer acceptable or not."