Hospital cleaners, porters and caterers could go on strike in a row over pay.

The GMB union has said Sodexo staff working at hospitals in Brighton and Haywards Heath are not being paid enough and are calling on the company to offer the living wage of £7.85 an hour at the very least.

The company is contracted by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust to provide the services and has about 700 workers based there.

GMB members have voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s pay deal, leading to a possible future ballot for strike action.

Regional officer Gary Palmer said: “It is worth remembering these are some of the lowest paid workers currently working in the trust.

“They play a vital role in supporting front line medical services in things such as infection control and improving patient experience, something they work extremely hard at doing to deliver the best service they can, despite under resourcing, cuts, and often being badly under-staffed.

“They are having to struggle to support their families as they are at a considerable financial detriment compared to others they work alongside.

“These are employees suffering workplace poverty and who often have to decide about prioritising between feeding their families and paying bills on a regular basis.

“That’s why the GMB is fully supporting them in fighting to gain themselves a living wage.

“This ballot result tells us that our members are ready if needs be to take action to secure a fair pay deal and it needs to be seen as a warning to Sodexo if they continue to fail to listen.

“We stand ready as always to continue to talk, but we can now no longer rule anything out in what action our members might choose to take if the matter remains unresolved.”

A Sodexo spokeswoman said: “We have been in constructive discussion with GMB and Unison for a number of months and talks are ongoing.

“Employees are currently being consulted over the pay offer and we will discuss the feedback with the trade unions when this consultation phase is completed.”