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Boots ballot: Last chance to check the facts

With just a few days until the ballot papers are distributed to Boots pharmacists and pre-registration pharmacists, the PDAU are calling on all those eligible to vote to make sure they have heard all the facts

Fri 15th February 2019 PDA Union

Ballot papers will be posted out to all registered and pre-registration store-based pharmacists at levels 5,6 and 7 at Boots on Monday 18 February, which means they could start returning completed ballot papers on Tuesday 19 February.

Mark Pitt, Assistant General Secretary of PDA Union explained: “Throughout this process the PDAU have provided pharmacists with facts and evidence about the the benefits that trade union recognition can bring to the working lives, reward and safety of Boots pharmacists.

Though there is a lot of information out there and we have made ourselves available to answer any question and responded to any enquiry, there is still a chance that some pharmacists, who I’m sure are busy providing patient care and getting on with their own lives, may not be fully familiar with all the facts.

We’ve also highlighted the company’s attitude towards them securing an independent voice at work for pharmacists. The company have attempted to distract the debate onto issues not on the ballot paper and some pharmacists may have been misled.

In a final effort to ensure pharmacists are properly informed before voting starts, the union are inviting pharmacists who still need more information before deciding which way to vote, to consider the following options:

  • Read the “ballot thread” on Boots’ internal “Pharmacy Unscripted Forum”
  • Follow the union’s social media pages, and read our posts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PharmacistsDefenceAssociation

Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_pda

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pharmacistsdefenceassociation/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pharmacists’%E2%80%8B-defence-association/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKoHR1QTPoGtCcbBc3RzDzA

Mark Pitt explained why it’s important for pharmacists to compare the management’s and the union’s position on this ballot:

During the ballot we have secured the rights to interact with pharmacists on the company’s internal Pharmacy Unscripted online forum.  Due to confidentiality agreements I cannot reveal what has been said there, but I encourage all Boots pharmacists to sign in and see for themselves what has been said in response to straight questions put to senior managers and how they have tried to cloud the issues and have contradicted themselves.

There are only two possible outcomes from this ballot, either pharmacists will secure recognition for the PDAU or they will be blocked from starting the process to try again for three years.  To secure recognition at least 40% of those eligible to vote must vote “YES”, so this cannot be left to others to act, every vote is essential.

If any pharmacists have recently changed address or if they are not receiving any PDAU communications to their home address they should urgently talk to their line manager and check the home address is correctly recorded on the company system.

Pharmacists and pre-registration pharmacists need to check the address is accurate as soon as possible to ensure you receive their ballot paper in time to vote.

Eligible voters are advised that If they have not received a ballot paper by 22 February 2019, to please contact the CAC Case Manager, Linda Lehan, by email at llehan@cac.gov.uk  giving their full name and address.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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