Phlebotomists striking in Gloucester—the longest NHS strike in history (Photo: X/@Unisontheunion)
Striking Gloucestershire phlebotomists will hit an extraordinary milestone next Tuesday—365 days on strike.
The 37 Unison union members, who take and handle blood samples from patients at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals, have stood firm in their fight for fair pay.
These phlebotomists, employed by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have been carrying out band 3 duties on band 2 wages for years.
To mark the one year anniversary of their strike for fair pay, a demonstration and rally has been organised by Strike Map. It is supported by a host of trade unions, including the PCS civil service union, Unite, Unison and others.
This fight can be won. During another rebanding dispute, phlebotomists at Homerton University Hospital in London secured this exact demand—and Gloucestershire can be next.
The whole labour movement, trade unionists, community campaigns and supporters of NHS workers everywhere, should show their support and send a delegation to the demonstration.
Over 100 health visitors at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB), South Wales, are currently on strike over pay.
They began a month-long strike in February after the board refused to pay them a salary which reflected their qualifications.
The incorrect banding costs some workers £9,000 a year. The Unite union members do vital community outreach work for new mothers and families.
As part of their fight, strikers organised a march around Pontypridd in South Wales, last week.
“Spirits were high on the march. There were chants of ‘money for bombs but not money for health visitors,’” said Dylan, a local activist who attended the protest.
“Local people are behind them. These are workers who are visible in this community, they are known here for the important work that they do.”
One striking worker said, “Everybody who knows me, knows how much I love my job, so this has been such a big decision. It’s not something that we’ve taken lightly.”
Workers at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in the Unite union have escalated strikes.
Pathology and clinical engineering workers based at Queen’s Hospital in east London began strikes last month. Pathology workers are angry over plans to impose a new shift system which reduces earnings. Queen’s has also failed to act over harassment.
Clinical workers are trying to stop the outsourcing of their department to Siemens Healthineers, which would erode their pay and conditions.
Union members struck for three days in February. Workers are set to strike again for five days this week.
GMB union members at Immingham-based petroleum contractor Briggs Marine began an all-out strike on Monday. Workers are angry that management has avoided due process to dismiss employees.
Workers at Immingham docks, operate one of the Britain’s largest petroleum product terminals.
It is a COMAH site, meaning it has the highest levels of health and safety. But bosses are trying to replace vital health and safety jobs with CCTV and technology that is not even in place. There is no health and safety framework.
Strikers on a well organised picket line, are furious about how their fellow workers and shop stewards have been dismissed and are determined to defend them.
Mark and Eleanor Woyen
Lambeth council is determined to push through its latest round of cuts—and last Wednesday over 70 people rallied at the town hall to oppose them.
There are two known areas that will be affected—the remaining council day care centre, specialising in Dementia care, along with the potential closure of up to three nursery schools.
Lambeth Unison union led the protest. Workers and service users from the Dementia centre spoke passionately about the devastating impact the closure will have.
One of the biggest cheers came when Micki Loebner spoke about how library campaigners had occupied Carnegie Library and saved it from closure in 2016.
It will take this type of action to save the current services under attack. Workers uniting alongside those who rely on these services can make the council back down— especially so close to the local council elections.
Green party, Independent and Your party candidates for the May elections were present to support the fight. With workers and residents taking up the fight, this is a campaign that can be won.
Tim O’Dell
Bus workers rejected an offer and came back out
Deadline to accept new conditions approaches
Labour’s health secretary has no answers
