Staff at Gloucester and Cheltenham hospitals begin three-day strike
The UNISON Union claim the Trust 'has incorrectly calculated' the pay of some NHS workers
Last updated 17th Mar 2025
A three-day walkout has begun at two hospitals in Gloucestershire - with the blood-sample specialists starting the action from today (17 March) over their pay.
The 37 members of staff - known as phlebotomists - are taking the action over what the UNISON union describe as Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust failing to resolve a dispute over staff pay and banding that began more than a year ago.
UNISON says the trust has incorrectly calculated the NHS workers’ pay, leaving them on the lowest salary band of the NHS, despite their skills, knowledge and daily tasks warranting the next band up.
The staff believe they are paid around £1 per hour less than they should be.
Hospital managers promised to address the issue by the end of February.
However, it's understood that despite these talks, the employer has failed to resolve the matter.
'Phlebotomists are vital to the health service'
UNISON South West regional organiser Chris Roche said: “The trust has had over 12 months to correct the pay of their staff, but has instead chosen to miss deadlines and break promises.
"Phlebotomists are vital to the health service and deserve much better than the treatment they’ve received. They should be paid fairly for the work they do, not left struggling to pay their bills.
"NHS staff want to be at work caring for their patients. They don’t want to be on strike and have tried everything to get hospital bosses to do the right thing. But the phlebotomists now feel they’ve no choice but to stand-up for themselves and the health service they provide. Hospital managers must act quickly and pay the wages its staff deserve.”
Phlebotomist Dawnie Elliott said: “We’ve tried everything over the past year to get our employer to correct our pay, but they still haven’t done it.
“Now the trust is wasting money bringing in extra staff during the strike, when it should just pay us properly and invest in patient care.”
'We will continue to work closely with the union and phlebotomists on resolving these issues'
Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive of the Foundation Trust, told Greatest Hits Radio: “We recognise and appreciate the valuable contribution that our phlebotomists make in providing patient care and we will continue to work closely in partnership with our local union representatives and phlebotomists on resolving these issues.
“Contingency plans are in place and we are advising patients who have an appointment at either Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH) or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH) during periods of industrial action to attend as normal unless they hear from us directly to advise otherwise.
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience in advance.”