NHS phlebotomists six weeks into strikes over pay

Healthcare workers are beginning their sixth consecutive week of strike action in a long-running dispute over pay and grading, a union says.

Around 37 phlebotomists from Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals are walking out from Monday until Sunday.

The workers, who say there is clear evidence they are not being paid properly, are calling on Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust to regrade them.

Kevin McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the "valuable contribution" phlebotomists make to the care of patients is recognised and appreciated.

UNISON organisers said staff were angry that, despite repeated promises from senior managers to resolve the matter by the end of February, the trust has yet to hold a formal meeting to review their pay.

Phlebotomist Dawnie Elliott said they deserved "to be paid correctly".

"We're not being greedy," she said.

"Paying us properly would cost less than a pound an hour.

"That might not sound like much, but it makes the world of difference when you're not earning much more than the minimum wage."

UNISON south west regional organiser Chris Roche said: "Every patient's treatment starts with a phlebotomist, they are the backbone of diagnosis.

"They're highly trained, experienced staff who carry out complex work, yet they're earning barely above the minimum wage.

"Hospital executives have wasted months dodging the issue and giving staff the run-around.

"It's high time senior managers showed some leadership and brought this dispute to end by paying their staff fairly."

The trust has said it will continue to "work closely in partnership with our local union representatives and phlebotomists on resolving this issue".

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