COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: If, in addition to indemnity for your main employment, you would like cover for delivering COVID-19 Vaccinations please apply for our standalone extension Apply Today

Home   »   About (Summary)   »   Walgreens Statement on Unions

Walgreens Statement on Unions

In late 2014, Alliance Boots completed a merger with Walgreens, forming Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company of Boots UK. In 2013, Walgreens' website said in a page entitled "Our Philosophy"

Walgreens feels very strongly that labor unions do not serve the best interests of our individual employees or the company as a whole.

Walgreens also told its workforce:

While we respect each employee’s right to choose or decline union membership, we certainly prefer direct relationships with you to make our working relationship successful rather than dealing through third parties.

The Walgreens website went on to give the top 10 reasons why Walgreens asks employees to say ‘NO’ to unions. link You can read what Walgreens said in full here.

A Guardian journalist observed in 2014: “[Walgreens] doesn’t appear to like trade unions or to want to deal with them.”link

Trade union laws and labour relations are different in the UK and Walgreens will have to operate within UK legislation. Boots reassured its pharmacists and stated “We want to remind you all we respect the right of all our colleagues to be members of a trade union of their choice”. However, Boots’ preference was to deal with the BPA and work within an agreement that specifically excluded negotiations on matters of real importance to pharmacists, such as pay, hours and working conditions. We believed that the BPA’s track record in stopping the company from cutting pay and benefits from pharmacists is poor. link

Pharmacists showed how they agree by voting to derecognise the BPA, in order that PDAU could be recognised (read more)

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.

Cookie Use

This website uses cookies to help us provide the best user experience. If you continue browsing you are giving your consent to our use of cookies.

General Guidance Resources Surveys PDA Campaigns Regulations Locums Indemnity Arrangements Pre-Regs & Students FAQs Coronavirus (COVID-19)