STAFF at ScottishPower are to get a 10% pay rise.

The news comes just seven months after the energy firm saw its profits drop 40% to £273million.

The deal, to be paid over three years, is being paid to 2500 engineers who maintain a nationwide network of electricity pylons and others who connect power supplies to new residential and business premises.

Union leaders said workers with the Glasgow-based company's energy networks and connections divisions in Scotland, England and Wales would get an immediate 4% rise, backdated to January 1.

It will be followed by a 3% increase next year and another 3% in 2014.

Union official Gerry Crawley, of Unison, described the agreement as "a major breakthrough in the private sector and, in particular, in utilities."

The cash windfall was agreed after year-long negotiations between ScottishPower and four unions, Unison, GMB, Unite and Prospect.

It comes as the company is spending up to £6billion in upgrading the electricity network across the Central Belt and Southern Scotland.

Workers accepted a pay freeze in 2010 and received a below-inflation rise last year.

Mr Crawley said: "Our members are getting a guaranteed pay rise for the next three years."

A ScottishPower spokesman said its energy networks division had delivered "significant efficiencies" in recent years. He added: "This package recognises all staff's contribution to this."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk