by Brian Debus, Hackney Socialist Party
Homerton Hospital phlebotomists have scored a stunning victory ten years after seeking rebanding.
They were initially unsuccessful in 2015, but were inspired to try again after seeing a rebanding campaign for Health Care Assistants and Maternity Support Workers run by the Homerton Unison branch in 2024. The branch has now won rebanding and significant back pay for all three groups of workers.
Photo: Chris Moore
“The first thing to say is that this has been a long time coming,” stated Unison steward Callum.
The phlebotomists provided evidence of their duties and boosted their membership to 80% density to show they were serious.
The trust finally conceded after the phlebotomists presented their evidence and threatened to escalate through balloting to industrial action. The evidence demonstrated that they had been working at Band 3 for years.
As a consequence of the pressure, the Trust moved from an initial offer of one year and two months back pay, to up to four years and four months back pay. The phlebotomists voted by 100% on a 100% turnout to accept.
“As far as we know, that’s the second best phlebotomy back-pay deal of its kind in the country,” commented Callum.
He went on to say: “We were determined to get a good result, not just for the Homerton phlebotomists but for the phlebotomists in Gloucestershire too. They’ve been on strike against Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust for about 300 days. It’s the longest strike in NHS history. And what are they fighting for? Exactly the same thing we just won here at Homerton. But for some reason their Trust has committed itself to breaking the strike and fighting them tooth and nail.
“With this win we want to reaffirm the precedent – set previously in Swansea, Hertfordshire, and Merseyside – that phlebotomists do work at Band 3 and are entitled to back pay under Agenda for Change. Gloucestershire has been the exception to this, not the rule.
“We hope this can also put the wind back in the sails of phlebotomy rebanding campaigns around the country. There’s been a lot of nervousness in response to the difficulties faced in Gloucestershire and we want to send a strong signal that it is absolutely possible to win.”
The Gloucestershire phlebotomists have just successfully reballoted to continue their strike action.