Porters and cleaners at London NHS hospitals begin two-week strike

The workers going on strike are members of Unite, which says that mainly BAME staff are paid up to 15% less than directly employed NHS workers. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA

Hundreds of workers at NHS hospitals in London including porters, cleaners and catering staff are to go on strike from Monday in a dispute over pay.

The staff employed by the outsourcing company Serco at St Bartholomew’s, the Royal London and Whipps Cross are walking out for two weeks.