Staff at Gates Power Transmissions have settled a dispute that prompted the first strike in the history of the Heathhall plant.
They have reached an agreement with management over shifts and pay and accepted a new offer.
GMB Scotland members had overwhelmingly backed industrial action but voted to return after negotiations led to a compromise.
A pay rise of five per cent has been accepted while staff, who can be temporarily “laid off” every three months, will now be paid a daily rate of £75 instead of the statutory £31 payment.
Formal guidelines about how and when workers are laid off will also be introduced.
Two days of strikes were held earlier this month after the union claimed that management refused to discuss a transition to a new system to ensure wages reduced gradually as a 12-hour shift pattern is phased out for daily shifts.
Union officials claimed that workers would lose as much as half their pay with little more than two weeks’
notice.
GMB Scotland organiser Ude Joe Adigwe said yesterday staff were happy with the outcome, but that the dispute had been “unnecessary” in the first
place.
“None of our members wanted to take this action but had been left with no choice”, he said.
“Management had months to engage with our clearly-expressed concerns and their failure to do so must pose questions about their judgement. We are happy that engagement finally happened and we could agree acceptable terms but this dispute could and should have been avoided.”
He said management only agreed to meet with the union after workers went on strike for two days earlier this month.
Mr Adigwe added: “It is unacceptable that in the 21st century a worker can be laid-off whenever the company decides with practically no financial safety net or have their income slashed at the drop of a
hat.
“It was no surprise the vote for industrial action was so overwhelming supported.
“They should never have allowed it to get to the stage where we went on strike but their bad judgement has damaged the image and reputation of Gates.
“It is in our members interest to have a profitable and resourceful company, but management must take on board we had legitimate concerns when it came to terms and conditions.
“We hope that lessons have been learned.
“The support we received from the public when we went on strike was utterly magnificent and we were delighted to know that people supported our position.”
The company was approached for comment.
