A UNION has warned a hospital faces potential strike action as a row over pay and conditions continues.

The GMB has issued an ultimatum against Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and private firm Sodexo over the dispute.

It says unless meaningful progress is made by 3pm today (MON), it will have no choice but to issue a notice of its intention to strike.

Staff employed by Sodexo currently provide cleaning, catering and portering services at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

However its contract with the trust ended earlier this year and hospital bosses are taking services back in-house.

Staff are being transferred and will become formally employed by the trust from September 1.

TUPE (transfer of undertakings) legislation means their terms and conditions will be protected.

Members of the GMB voted for strike action in May over calls for staff to be paid the living wage.

Strike action was suspended while negotiations between the union and Sodexo to resolve the long-running 2014 and 2015 pay settlement continued.

However, discussions have now stalled and the union claims trust bosses are causing the problem by not taking part in negotiations or authorising Sodexo to settle the 2015 dispute on its behalf.

A trust spokesman said a lot of work was being done to ensure the transfer was as smooth as possible and the trust would become formal employers from September 1.

He said: “We have held one-to-one meetings with over 450 staff and sessions are now being held at night and over the weekend to discuss the transfer with those who work shifts.”