A VIDEO shows how an altercation broke out as pub workers went on strike for better pay.

Footage shows the incident outside the Saint James tavern where staff were taking industrial action - demanding an £11.50 per hour wage.

Police say they spoke to a group of people outside the pub in Kemp Town about “two individuals acting aggressively towards them”.

A union shared the clip online.

In the footage, a man can be seen holding a thick chain in his hands before running towards the person filming.

A voice can be heard saying: “I smash you.”

The United Voices of the World (UVW) shared the video, taken at a picket line on Saturday, 25 June.

The Argus has contacted the Stonegate Group, which owns the pub, for comment.

Petros Elia, general secretary for UVW, said the incident was reported to the police and the council.

She said: “We now call on Simon Longbottom, CEO of Stonegate Group, to intervene to ensure compliance with statutory licensing law and to live up to their own values that sees Stonegate encouraging ‘publicans to be actively involved in their communities and put their pubs at the heart of local life’.

The Argus: The strikes were well attended. Photo: Dave ChiversThe strikes were well attended. Photo: Dave Chivers

“These publicans are damaging the local community. Stonegate needs to intervene now.

“Our members at Saint James Tavern will continue to campaign and strike to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect, and are given a safe workplace. We remain available for negotiations at any time.”

Sussex Police said that on Saturday, officers engaged with a group of people gathered outside a pub in St James’s Street after responding to an unrelated incident nearby.

A police spokesman said: “Members of the group reported two individuals acting aggressively towards them, but did not wish to support a prosecution.

“Both parties were given words of advice by the officers.

“No further action was taken due to there being no viable lines of enquiry."