Bear Scotland Maintenance Workers Back Strike Plan Over Low Pay on A9 Scotland Roads

Dozens of Bear Scotland workers based in Inverness, responsible for maintaining major roads including the A9 trunk road from Perth to Inverness, have rejected a pay offer raising the lowest hourly rate from £12 to £12.75 and other key grades by £1 per hour, with the highest rate increasing from £13.25 to £14.25. Unite the union criticizes this pay as unacceptably low compared to up to £16 per hour at other local companies, emphasizing that Bear Scotland reported a £3.7 million profit and is a key contractor on the £3.7 billion A9 Dualling Programme, a major infrastructure project expected to complete by 2035. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated that Bear Scotland can afford to pay better wages and pledged full union support for the workers' fight for improved pay and conditions. Unite industrial officer Marc Jackson warned that if the company does not improve its offer, industrial action is likely, potentially causing significant disruption during the bad weather when these workers are most needed. The timing of any strike action remains unconfirmed, but the dispute highlights concerns over worker pay amid critical infrastructure upgrades in Scotland.