What is a union?

A Trades Union is usually an organisation which employees (or self employed workers) join to gain greater security at work. Union membership can provide greater influence collectively in relations with employers and more widely within the industry (profession) than workers have as separate individuals.

Recognised Unions can be set up to represent one particular skill set or interest group of workers across an industry such as The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) for pilots or, the PDA union in the case of pharmacists. A more generalist union such as the new amalgamated 'Transport and General Workers' Union and Amicus (Unite), which is currently the parent union of the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists may recruit members from all industries and all types of employer.

A new union should apply to the Certification Officer of Trade Unions for listing – this is a pre-cursor to applying for a Certificate of Independence. It is normal for a union to be listed for 1 year before applying for a certificate of independence. During this time, amongst other things, it can represent its’ members at grievance, disciplinary and redundancy hearings. On application and subject to a certificate being granted the union obtains a number of statutory rights including seeking recognition and bargaining agreements with employers where there are more than 50% of relevant employees who are members of the PDA Union.

All current and future members of the PDA will be given a choice as to whether they want to be part of the PDA union or not, there will continue to be an option to simply be a non-union PDA member.