STRIKE action in a bitter dispute over pay and working conditions for outsourced staff at a south London hospital is set to continue later this month, GMB announced today.

Following 10 days of walkouts in recent weeks, cleaners and hostesses employed by contractor Mitie at St George’s Hospital in Tooting will withdraw their labour on July 17, 20, 21, 23 and 24, the union confirmed.

The strike, which also includes a work-to-rule action whereby workers refuse to engage in tasks outside their contract, comes after the union accused bosses of withholding staff wages. 

Management is also engaging in intimidation tactics, added GMB, which urged St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to intervene.

Regional organiser Helen O’Connor said: “If Mitie gets away with [this] then it will give a green light to bad employers across the UK.

“The strike action has hit the hospital hard. If St George’s fail to come around the table for talks, this is likely to be a long and protracted dispute.”

Mitie denied that any pay had been withheld, while the hospital trust said it hopes a resolution will be found soon.