‘Mighty’ pay rise

Unite members working for Mitie at Sellafield in Cumbria have ended their pay dispute with the outsourcing giant after securing a pay rise of 55 pence per hour it was announced today (July 22).

The historic pay rise takes the wages of over 180 Unite members working as security guards, cleaners, vending, laundry and environmental operatives up to the Living Wage Foundation’s real living wage of £9 per hour. The revised pay deal was backed  by 79 per cent of members in a consultative ballot.

The pay dispute, which saw 31 days of strike action at the nuclear site, came after workers rejected the company’s initial pay offer which would have seen most workers paid just £8.45 per hour.

Commenting Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said, “This historic pay rise demonstrates what can be achieved when you stick together and have Unite on your side.

“It has been a long, difficult dispute, but the determination of members to stand up for better pay has shone through and secured a real living wage for Mitie workers at Sellafield,” he added.

“Once again our members have shown that it pays to be a member of Unite in securing a mighty pay rise for Mitie workers.”