By Alasdair Fraser

Copyright inverness-courier

A9 drivers could face disruption approaching wintry months after a major union confirmed that road maintenance workers were ready to take industrial action over low pay.

The Perth to Inverness trunk road is serviced by BEAR Scotland who have been criticised by Unite the union for poor pay in the face of last year’s £3.715m profit.

Many of the workers are closely involved in the A9 dualling project.

Members have “overwhelmingly backed” strike action in a ballot.

The dispute centres on low pay for dozens of Bear Scotland staff based in Inverness responsible for the maintenance and safety of major roads including the A9

Bear Scotland employees have rejected a pay offer proposing to lift the lowest hourly pay band up from £12 an hour to £12.75.

The pay offer to other key grades would rise by only one pound per hour, including the highest grade from £13.25 to £14.25.

Unite says that similar maintenance workers at other local companies are paying up to £16 per hour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members based in Inverness, who work every day in every type of weather, are being paid at an unacceptably low level.

“Bear Scotland is a profitable company, and it can easily afford to pay our members a decent rate.

“We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Bear Scotland Limited in its latest accounts for the year ending 2024 posted a £3.715m profit.

A9 road maintenance works are primarily focused on the A9 dualling programme between Perth and Inverness, which will convert the single carriageway to dual carriageway by 2035 at an estimated cost of £3.7 billion according to Transport Scotland.

Unite industrial officer Marc Jackson said: “The workers are essential to one of the nation’s key transport infrastructure upgrades, yet they are being treated poorly by Bear Scotland and paid well below workers at other maintenance companies.

“This cash rich company needs to get back round the negotiating table with an improved pay offer.

“If they don’t heed this advice, then industrial action during the bad weather when these workers are needed the most will be inevitable and entirely Bear Scotland’s fault.”

BEAR Scotland has been approached for comment.

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