Healthcare workers in Gloucestershire have entered their sixth consecutive week of strike action in an ongoing dispute over pay and job grading. Around 37 phlebotomists from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital are walking out from Monday to Sunday, calling for fair regrading and an increase in hourly pay.
The strike, organised by UNISON, highlights growing frustration among staff who claim they are performing skilled and essential medical tasks while earning barely above the minimum wage. The union says there is clear evidence that these phlebotomists are being underpaid and are urging Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to re-evaluate their grading structure.
Trust Accused of Delaying Action
According to UNISON officials, senior management at the trust had promised to resolve the matter by the end of February, yet no formal meeting has taken place to date. Phlebotomist Dawnie Elliott said the demand was simple: “We just want to be paid correctly. Paying us fairly would cost less than a pound an hour, but it makes a huge difference when your pay is close to minimum wage.”
Chris Roche, UNISON South West Regional Organiser, criticised hospital executives for “wasting months dodging the issue” and called on them to “show leadership and bring this dispute to an end by paying staff fairly.”
The Backbone of Diagnosis
Roche emphasised that phlebotomists are essential to patient care, saying: “Every patient’s treatment starts with a phlebotomist. They’re the backbone of diagnosis—highly trained, experienced, and undervalued.”
Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the important role of phlebotomists, stating their “valuable contribution to patient care is recognised and appreciated.” The trust added that it continues to work closely with union representatives and phlebotomists to resolve the issue.
