Workers at the chain have never taken industrial action before, meaning a potential first in the four decades the pubco has been operational.
Staff at the Bright Helm and the Post & Telegraph in Brighton will vote on whether to strike over a desired £10 per hour wage and a specific union, in a secret postal ballot.
The vote has been organised with the fast-food workers campaign within the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU).
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We can confirm that Wetherspoon has received notice that the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) intends to hold a ballot for industrial action in two Wetherspoon pubs in Brighton – the Bright Helm and the Post & Telegraph.
“No complaint has been made directly to the company by employees at either pub, or by the trade union, in advance of receiving this ballot.
“The matter has now been raised with the area manager. He visits the pubs at least weekly and will investigate the matter further."
Wage review
The chain said it had reviewed the minimum wages in both pubs, which range from £8.05 to £8.35 across bar and kitchen staff. It said staff who have been with the pubco for a long time are paid more than the minimum rates, which are above the national minimum wage.
Staff said they were inspired by the industrial action taken by McDonald’s workers in September 2017 for the first time in the fast-food chain's history, which resulted in a 10-year record pay rise.
Chris Heppell, a kitchen worker at the Post & Telegraph said: “I've worked at Wetherspoon for four years. In that time I've struggled to survive on poverty wages and seen my colleagues’ battle to make ends meet.
"The McStrikers standing up for £10/hr and a union showed us that if we come together, we can make our voices heard. We've had enough of being underpaid and undervalued. Now is the time for all hospitality workers to rise up and demand the respect we all deserve.”
Bonus pay
According to Wetherspoon, employees at the Bright Helm and the Post & Telegraph received an average additional 3.4% and 6.5% in bonus pay respectively over the past 12 months.
Gershon added: “In total, Wetherspoon paid £43.7m in bonus pay and free shares in the last reported financial year (ending July 2017), of which 74% was paid to employees working in the pubs.
“Employees with more than 18 months' service with the company are entitled to receive free shares in the company each year, equivalent to 5% of their gross earnings, at no cost to themselves.
“We are keen to provide good working conditions for all employees.
“We are disappointed that we were not approached directly by these employees but, as always, we are keen to listen to what the people in our pubs have to say.”