Woolwich hospital workers are staging a five day strike in a long-running dispute over pay.

More than 200 GMB union members employed by contractor ISS are walking out for five days in a long-running dispute over two tier workforce.

GMB members are employed at Woolwich hospital as cleaners, security, ward hostesses, caterers, on the switchboard and as porters.

Workers employed by ISS are campaigning for the same pay rates, weekend enhancements and unsocial hours rates as the staff directly employed by the NHS Trust.

A previous five day strike began on Christmas Day but no settlement was reached between the two parties.

GMB regional officer Nadine Houghton said: "GMB members employed by ISS are now more determined than ever.

"They are not prepared to give up until they secure what is rightfully theirs - the proper rate for the job and an end to the two tier workforce at the hospital.

"Our member's demands are just and fair, quite simply, why should they get less than their equivalents who are employed directly by the NHS, just by virtue of the fact they work for a private contractor that seeks to make a profit out of our NHS."

ISS workers at the hospital are paid between £7.10 and £7.32 per hour whereas the lowest rate for staff directly employed by the NHS is £7.33 per hour which increases to £7.51 and £7.69 in yearly increments.

An injunction from ISS to stop these strikes was rejected by High Court on November 20.

The strike begins 6am on March 9 and ends at 6pm on March 13.

On March 10, union members will march from General Gordon Square through the centre of Woolwich to the hospital.