HOSPITAL workers in West Yorkshire have launched a campaign over poverty pay, calling for support for a mass protest next month against their profiteering employer.

Catering, cleaning, security and other staff at Calder Royal Hospital in Halifax are employed by the transnational public services privateer ISS.

Their union GMB says they are paid even less than outsourced workers in other hospitals in the region.

The workers want parity with NHS rates.

GMB organiser Joe Wheatley said the workers went above and beyond during the pandemic.

“It’s time for ISS, a global company that made a net profit of around £28 million in the first six months of 2021, to wake up to the reality that these are NHS workers and should be paid NHS wages.”

A protest will take place at Calderdale Royal Hospital’s main entrance from 2-3.30pm on Saturday March 5.

ISS has been invited to comment.