...and no cash for rise at BRS
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• BRS Scotland has warned its drivers that there is no money available for a wage rise this year.
Transport and General Workers Union representatives negotiating with the firm have been told that any increases for the 200 drivers would have ti) be self-financing in the form of productivity improvements.
TGWU Scottish transport secretary Jimmy Lock says his negotiators have declined this offer on the drivers' behalf. They hope the company will come back with a better offer. If it doesn't, the union says it will go to the conciliation service ACAS to get an agreement.
Lock says the drivers are not prepared to take what in effect would be a pay cut—they have not ruled out taking industrial action.
He says he has already agreed settlements of 2.9% (the current rate of inflation) with other employers in the area.
NFC says it is under pressure in the market place to keep costs down and any wage increases have to be earned.
The company posted "disappointing" results before Christmas with profits down 2% on the previous year.
E BRS's parent NFC made profits of £114m last year slightly down on the previous year.