Gloucestershire phlebotomists pass 100 days on strike

Last Friday marked 100 days of strike for phlebotomists at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals.

Phlebotomists are specialist health workers who take and handle patient blood samples. At present, they are paid at band 2 of the NHS’s Agenda for Change pay scale, but UNISON argues that their knowledge, skills and training equate to those of a band 3 worker.

There are 37 phlebotomists striking in Gloucestershire and they want to be regraded and given back pay to cover the extra duties they have been doing for years.

The phlebotomists began their action in March. Their complaint of being on the wrong grade is a common one and is the key aim of UNISON’s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign.

UNISON head of health Helga Pile (pictured above, right) said: “Gloucestershire is looking like a rogue employer in its determination to go to any length to avoid paying staff fairly.

“The phlebotomists haven’t taken 100 days of strike action on a whim. They don’t want special treatment. They just want to be paid correctly for the valuable jobs they do. Their patients know how important they are – it’s time the trust recognised this too.

“Dozens of trusts have already settled disputes like this. There’s no reason why NHS workers in Gloucestershire should settle for any less than the thousands of employees who’ve already seen their pay improved thanks to their efforts and the union’s campaign.”

The workers are determined to keep up their industrial action until their roles are re-banded.