OUTSOURCING giant Mitie is facing fresh pressure after employees in two separate workplaces voted for strike action.

The agency employer is facing strikes at the Sellafield nuclear plant and London City Airport after Unite members voted to walk out over pay-related issues.

The union’s Sellafield branch has announced two one-day periods of strikes, beginning on Friday week, April19.

Mitie’s workers at the site, who are caterers, venders, security guards and laundry workers, are paid £8.45 an hour.

They have rejected a pay offer they considered derisory, and have demanded the living wage instead.

The company refused to give Unite formal representation during pay negotiations, which led to 180 workers voting by over 98 per cent to strike.

Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “Mitie is a multimillion-pound company that is refusing to pay workers even the living wage, on a high-security site.

“Our members are no longer going to accept poverty wages and if Mitie wants to prevent huge disruption at the complex, then it needs to make a fair pay offer.”

Meanwhile, Unite security guards and mobility assistants at London City Airport voted unanimously to strike for a “significant” pay increase, enhanced pay rates for overtime and improved sick pay.

They are also demanding formal union recognition for Unite and for improved break times.

The dates of the strike are yet to be confirmed.

Unite regional officer Michelle Cook said: “Mitie is treating its workforce with complete contempt. Workers are being subjected to low pay and third-rate conditions.

“Mitie is drinking in the last chance saloon and if it wants to avoid industrial action then they need to immediately enter into meaningful negotiations and properly address the workers’ concerns.”

These strikes follow in the wake of Mitie security guards at Southampton Hospital striking last Friday over complaints that the agency does not provide them with stab vests and other necessary protection equipment.

Mitie was contacted for comment.