In fact, its agreement with Boots explicitly excluded these rights. It was noted in 2013 that on its website, the BPA does not mention that its collective bargaining rights include only facilities for its officials (such as whether the CEO is given a new computer by the employer) and the machinery for consultation (such as the location and frequency of meetings), choosing instead to describe its role in collective consultation.
The agreement states:
Under this agreement the BPA is recognised as having collective bargaining rights for the purposes of negotiation relating to facilities for its officials and the machinery for consultation in respect of matters upon which we will consult with the BPA. This agreement does not provide for collective bargaining rights on any other matters… Boots and the BPA accept that this agreement is not legally binding or enforceable between the parties.
Any terms agreed with the BPA by virtue of this agreement are not intended to be incorporated into employees’ contracts of employment
The agreement describes the BPA as a “line of communication” with “input” into various matters.link
The BPA did not ask its members whether they wanted the existing agreement when it signed it on 1 March 2012.link