Following extensive talks, the Boots Pharmacists Association (BPA) and PDA Union announced in October that they had agreed terms for the BPA to merge into the PDA Union. The proposed transfer received formal approval by the trade union regulator and was then put to members of the BPA to decide.
The formal question was: Do you accept the proposed transfer of engagements of Boots Pharmacists’ Association to PDA Union? Ballot turnout was over 38%, with over 96% expressing support for the merger to go ahead.
The results of the ballot have been shared with BPA members and will now be lodged with the trade union regulator so that the transfer can happen on 1 January 2025. More information will be provided to BPA members before the year end, and there is no individual action required currently.
Mark Pitt, PDA Union General Secretary said “We are the only trade union exclusively for pharmacists and we look forward to welcoming hundreds more into PDA membership through this merger.
Khuram Ahmad, Chairman of the BPA added: “BPA Executive Committees have led our association for over half a century and have now secured a future for the membership which they have confirmed that they want. We will ensure a smooth transition to the PDA Union at year end.”
Other than being part of a larger union and greater membership density inside Boots, the transfer means no change for existing PDA Union members, hence they did not need to be balloted as part of this type of union merger.
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