Two-year pay deal worth eight per cent for Lochaber workforce

Unite has confirmed today (30 August) that it has secured a two-year pay deal worth eight per cent for Alvance aluminium workers based in Lochaber, Fort William.

The union negotiated two separate wage increases: five per cent for plant operators effective from April this year, and four per cent for those in staff and administrative roles effective from September.

A three per cent increase will then be applied to the operators pay grades from April 2025, while a four per cent rise has been negotiated to take effect in January 2025 for staff and administrators.

The entire 200-strong workforce which includes engineers, electricians, smelter operators, maintenance and administrative staff will all receive the eight per cent in the two-year pay deal.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a good wage deal for Alvance aluminium workers. It is a clear demonstration to workers in the local economy of the merits of being a Unite member. As a union, we are laser focused in improving the jobs, pay and conditions of our members.”

Alvance British Aluminium was bought from Rio Tinto by Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance in 2016. The Fort William aluminium plant was originally established in 1929, and it is the UK’s only remaining aluminium smelter. The smelter is powered by GFG Alliance’s hydroelectric station located on the slopes of Ben Nevis.

There are current plans to establish a new recycling facility and aluminium billet plant. It is anticipated that this development will lead to the creation of up to 45 direct jobs.

Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, added: “The pay deals received the overwhelming support of the Alvance workforce. Unite is pleased to have successfully negotiated these pay deals, which will deliver a significant boost to the take home pay of our members.”

 

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Notes to Editor 

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.

Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org 

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson.