The PDA Union has now received a copy of the independent report prepared by the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) which outlines the percentage of PDA Union members employed by Boots.
The report concludes that 30.2% of eligible employees in the proposed bargaining unit are members of the PDA Union, which is a very significant proportion who have the benefit of PDA Union membership.
This level of union membership easily surpasses the initial 10% threshold stipulated by the admissibility criteria. The PDA Union will now be providing additional evidence to the CAC to help the panel decide if the majority of the bargaining unit would be likely to favour recognition of the PDA Union; this is the second part of the criteria. We believe that our evidence will help the panel decide that there is the requisite level of support.
It is important to note that in order to meet the criteria for recognition, is not necessary for the PDA Union to demonstrate that 50% of Boots employees are in union membership, only that the majority of the bargaining unit would be likely to support recognition of the PDA Union. The PDA Union also submitted over 1000 pledges of support to the CAC gathered during a three week period earlier this year. Many Boots employees submitted powerful and persuasive comments along with their pledges of support and it is clear there is a significant groundswell of support for recognition of the PDA Union within Boots.
What happens next?
The PDA Union will be making further submissions to the CAC by 31st May 2013 and if the CAC accept that the union satisfies the relevant criteria, the panel may decide to make a declaration in our favour on formal recognition of the PDA Union at that time, or it may choose to direct a secret ballot of the bargaining unit to decide the matter.
Boots are currently awaiting a Judicial Review (JR) hearing, listed during October 2013 where it will challenge the CAC’s decision to permit our application to progress. Boots has already indicated that it will try to block any further significant decisions by the CAC about recognition of the PDA Union, pending the outcome of the Judicial Review. It is therefore likely that Boots will seek to delay any significant decisions by the CAC through further legal challenges.
The PDA Union is committed to gaining formal recognition on behalf of Boots pharmacists and pre registration graduates to help improve their employment terms and working conditions and prevent further erosion of existing benefits. We will keep members updated on any developments and thank you for your continuing support.
Please note that Boots employees can still pledge their support by visiting one of the websites below and we would encourage them to do so.
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PDA UNION – PHARMACISTS
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PDA UNION – PRE-REGISTRATION GRADUATES