STAFF at two Wetherspoon pubs may strike in a bitter row over low pay.

The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union is balloting members at The Bright Helm in North Road, and Post and Telegraph in North Street for industrial action.

A secret postal ballot will decide whether they strike in their battle for £10 an hour pay.

Wetherspoon staff members across the country are also in touch with the BFAWU.

Chris Heppell, 29, who works as a kitchen team leader at the Post and Telegraph, said: “I’ve worked at Wetherspoons for four and a half years.

“I’ve struggled to survive on poverty wages and I have seen my colleagues battle to make ends meet.

“I get paid £8.65 an hour.

“Many of us are in debt.

“Some live in hostels because they can’t afford a deposit.

“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.

“While we can look for another hospitality job, we could be facing the same kind of conditions.

“Or we can stay and fight.

“It is the hard work of staff members who bring in the profits to the company.

“If staff members across the country stand together, we can’t be ignored.”

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We can confirm that Wetherspoon has received notice that the BFAWU intends to hold a ballot for industrial action in two Wetherspoon pubs in Brighton.

“No complaint has been made directly to the company by employees, 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.

“We have reviewed the rates of pay in both pubs.

“The minimum starting rate for bar associates is £8.05 per hour and for kitchen associates it is £8.25.”