Nancy Connelly, Gloucestershire Socialist Party
On 14 May, in Gloucester, the Socialist Party hosted a meeting with the Gloucestershire phlebotomists. We have consistently visited the Unison picket lines, and discussed the strike, the state of the NHS, and political representation for working-class people with them.
Caroline, Dawnie and Daggy are among the 37 phlebotomists in the area who have set things alight across the southwest, and attended the meeting.
The strike, now in its ninth week, is still going strong, holding picket lines every week in demand for fair pay.
The meeting helped raise £155 towards their strike fund, So far, they have received over £3,000 in union solidarity payments, which our members have helped fight for.
Highly skilled work, yet barely above minimum wage
Phlebotomists are medical professionals that specialise in taking blood. The scope of the patients they see is huge, from children and elderly, to those undertaking chemo, addicts, people with disabilities, mental health issues and phobias. They are the backstop in the county for everyone that has difficulty in taking blood.
It’s a complex, risky job too. Taking blood puts you at risk of HIV, Hep A, B and C. Contracting infectious diseases and the risk of needle injuries, along with unpredictable or vulnerable patients, emphasises that this job role is not a skill to be dismissed or taken lightly.
Currently, they are paid at Band 2 on the NHS pay scale, but Unison confirms their job description should be on the higher band 3. The difference in pay between bands is less than a pound an hour, and the correction would reportedly only cost the Trust £50,000 overall.
When it comes to fair pay disputes in the public sector, we often hear the argument, where will the money come from? In 2024, the collective wealth of billionaires rose by £35 million a day in the UK – why doesn’t our government tax the super-rich and redistribute the wealth to our essential services and infrastructure?
9 weeks so far, but months in the making
Band 2 pay does not reflect the vital and complex skilled nature of the role of a phlebotomist – and across many other hospitals and regions, that has already been increased to Band 3. The issue in Gloucestershire was first raised 18 months ago to the Trust, who have since not been prepared to do a proper, fair banding review. The Unison members informed hospital management every step of the way with full transparency, and were met with constant disregard and excuses. The trust consistently failed to meet deadlines set, and as a result, the strike began on 17 March, 2025.
Now, 37 phlebotomists are standing on picket lines, with Band 3 and 4 workers also joining in solidarity.
The Band 3 and 4 workers support them as the absence of these essential workers, who were now being replaced by people with just a half-day training in venipuncture, is increasing the workload on Band 4’s who find themselves having to constantly coach the temporary replacements.
Stand and fight
During the meeting, the phlebotomists described the effect this strike has on them, describing themselves as becoming stronger throughout the process, with the support of the trade union. They have received support from other staff, the general public, patients, and other phlebotomist teams across the country who recognise the essential labour phlebotomists provide.
“I think it’s going to have a domino effect. In fact, there are some trusts where they’ve actually put their phlebotomists to Band 3 without the need for industrial action in the region,” said Caroline.
“We’re fighting for our jobs. We love our jobs and most of us have been doing it for an awfully long time and want to stay doing that, but with the financial climate as it is, we have to make tough choices. We have to stand and fight, to get paid a wage that we can afford to live on, and get the recognition for the skills that we have.”
Kevin McNamara, the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, has reportedly refused to meet the striking workers until they agreed to go back to work. At a recent meeting, the phlebotomists were able to say their piece to the Trust. “The result of the meeting was disappointing, but anticipated,” said Caroline.
Unison reports: “The trust made clear it would only allow a job evaluation panel to look into a new, hypothetical job description for the future, not the tasks phlebotomists have been doing for years.” McNamara did not show up to this meeting.
The strength of unions
When the pay disparity was first brought to the table, the majority of the phlebotomists were not part of a trade union, but since then, they have gathered 37 Unison members to stand together. Caroline, Dawn, and Daggy describe their experience introducing the other workers to the strength of the union. “People realize that having the union behind us, they’re a strong force, aren’t they? It’s power.”
The fight to save the NHS
The NHS – our essential health service, and one of the biggest victories for the British working class – is in danger unless we fight for it, whether that be from Conservatives or Labour governments. None of the main political parties are fighting for this.
Working-class people understand the vital importance the NHS has to our everyday lives, whether it be themselves, their loved ones, or colleagues. From local to national disputes, it all matters. They’re fighting not just for better pay, but to protect our NHS from being destroyed by privatisation.
It’s also affecting job retention and young adults entering the industry. The younger generation entering the workforce won’t be attracted to a job in the NHS if they think the pay is going to be not enough to even live – we are already seeing these effects in doctors emigrating for better pay, and youth choosing to navigate different career paths as a matter of financial necessity.
The Socialist Party believes it’s necessary to take the pharmaceutical industry into public ownership so these companies can’t fleece the NHS. We’re constantly told there’s no more money – and it’s because the NHS is being opened up to private healthcare companies to gouge profit.
The Gloucestershire phlebotomists will not be giving up the fight until they get what they are owed, and it’s vital we stand in solidarity, for the sake of them, and protecting our NHS from our capitalist government intent on destroying it with privatisation.
Unison announced they will be continuing their action further until at least 1 June.
