Health workers at Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Hospitals hit 200th day of strike action

The phlebotomists who take blood samples from patients have been walking out since March in a dispute over pay

Author: Alan Jones, PAPublished 11th Oct 2025

Healthcare workers involved in a long running dispute over pay reach their 200th day of strike action on today (October 11).

Members of Unison at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals have been on strike since March.

They work as phlebotomists, taking blood samples from patients, at both hospitals.

The union said the staff should be regraded after performing extra duties at work.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: "It's a scandal that hospital managers have allowed this dispute to drag on for 200 days.

"They must pay up now and show the phlebotomists the respect they deserve for the skilled work they do.

"These dedicated NHS staff help diagnose illnesses and keep services running smoothly. They didn't want to strike but were left with no choice after years of being underpaid and ignored."

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