NOW UNISON members at Royal Bolton Hospital have asked to be balloted for strike action their employer must be notified.
UNISON will notify Bolton iFM of its members intention to ballot.
The Bolton News understands this seven-day notification will be given before the end of this month.
READ MORE: 'We feel looked down on at work' say staff
Once notification has been given UNISON will ballot its members over a three week period to allow them to vote.
The next part depends on the outcome of the vote.
READ MORE: The catering dispute
If the threshold is met for members to strike UNISON must give the employer 14 days notice of the industrial action.
This would mean the earliest date a strike could take place is in October.
Tim Ellis, regional manager for UNISON said this time period would give both sides the opportunity to carry out discussions and negotiations.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here