WORKERS who took a pay cut to save their jobs are now set to have a "thank you" bonus.

Bolton Council's in-house direct labour organisations have reported record profits in the last 12 months.

And some of the cash will go to the pay bonuses of 26 workers who repair council vehicles.

They are expected to receive up to £700 each.

They were forced to accept lower salaries to beat off the threat of competition last year from private firms.

The authority's direct labour organisations have made £468,000 in the last 12 months - they were budgeted to make just £190,000.

Labour Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, chairman of the council's contract services committee, said: "We are delighted with these figures.

"But we always said that if we did make profits, the staff who agreed to pay cuts had the first call on this.

"The figures are a tribute to the hard work put in by both staff and management.

"At the time, no-one liked having to ask people to take a cut in pay, but it was the only way we could win these contracts."

The direct labour organisations are the council's in-house companies who, by law, have to compete with private firms to carry out council contracts.

Rosa Kay, Bolton branch secretary of the union UNISON, said: "Obviously, it is good news that employees will be getting this money and it is a measure of the success of the contract.

"However, it remains to be seen whether it is enough to make up for the wages they have lost."

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