LONDON (ShareCast) - (ShareCast News) - Mitie Cleaning and Environmental Services employees based at Manchester Airport voted in favour of taking strike action on Thursday as they continued their efforts to seek a better remuneration packet after a two-year pay freeze.
The cleaners, who had been receiving just about the minimum wage of £7.50 per hour, were seeking an increase that would put them over the national living wage of £8.45, as well as a one-off payment for backdated earnings at a rate of £1 per hour for every hour worked since April 2016.

Unite regional officer, Jimmy Carter said, "Keeping Britain's third busiest airport clean is hard work, after a two-year pay freeze workers have had enough."

Of the roughly 200 cleaners employed at the airport by Mitie, 73% turned out for the vote, all of which voted to strike.

"A 100% vote in favour of strike action should send a clear message to Mitie. It is time to negotiate or face the prospect of disruption to the smooth running of the airport, putting its reputation as the country's best at risk," said Carter.

"Workers are struggling to make ends meet on the minimum wage and are demanding a living wage to afford the basics like food and rent. It's time for Mitie to become a living wage employer."

As of 1440 BST, shares in the FTSE 250-listed Mitie Group, the parent company of Mitie Cleaning and Environmental Services, had remained relatively steady, up 0.75% to 253.30p.

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