The PDA Union (PDAU) was formed by pharmacists, for pharmacists. Our focus has always been on protecting and improving professional autonomy, working conditions and employment terms for pharmacists. Since 2011, the PDAU has been fighting for Boots pharmacists’ right to negotiate their pay, hours and holiday entitlements with their employer.
The PDA Union (PDAU) was formed by pharmacists, for pharmacists. Our focus has always been on protecting and improving professional autonomy, working conditions and employment terms for pharmacists. Since 2011, the PDAU has been fighting for Boots pharmacists’ right to negotiate their pay, hours and holiday entitlements with their employer.
To enable us to achieve this, having exhausted all other options, Boots pharmacists have now sought the derecognition of the Boots Pharmacists’ Association (BPA). This means they have applied to a government body, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), to remove the agreement between Boots and the BPA. The agreement was made in 2012 and designed to block Boots pharmacists’ ability to negotiate better pay, hours and other working conditions through the PDA Union. After the agreement has been removed, the BPA could continue as it has before.
The PDA Union have announced that they will need at least 2,780 votes in favour of terminating an agreement that prevents Boots employees from securing an independent voice at work. Then, the PDA Union can apply for recognition as the independent trade union working on behalf of Boots pharmacists.
After winning the legal argument in court over who qualifies to vote in the forthcoming ballot, the PDA Union have challenged senior managers at Boots to voluntarily listen to their employees who have asked for an independent trade union to obtain formal recognition at the company.
In the ongoing fight for pharmacists to secure an independent voice at work, Boots have failed to convince the courts to include senior management in the forthcoming ballot of pharmacists at the company. The next step should be the ballot itself.
The CAC (Central Arbitration Committee) have today issued their judgement following the hearing that took place on 19th January to determine the bargaining unit for the forthcoming ballot.
The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) held a hearing on Friday 19th January 2018 to decide which pharmacists within Boots will be eligible to vote in the secret ballot.
On Friday 8th December 2017, PDAU representatives of the Boots pharmacists who have applied to derecognise the Boots Pharmacists Association met with executives of the organisation.
On 1st December 2017, PDA Union representatives for the group of pharmacists who have applied to derecognise the BPA, met with senior managers from Boots.
The public body that has statutory powers to resolve workplace disputes in Britain has published their full decision on an application that a secret ballot should be held to determine whether the bargaining arrangements between the BPA and Boots Management Services Limited should be ended.
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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