JOINT STATEMENT
This week, Boots has introduced the new opening hours in its pharmacies as part of its vision for transforming the delivery of pharmacy and healthcare.
As previously communicated, the decision by Boots to pause formal consultation with pharmacist and store manager roles was taken whilst more mutually agreeable options were considered. During this pause Boots has been listening to feedback from employees and sharing with the PDA Union their plans for how they intend to proceed with the implementation of the new opening hours.
The feedback received enabled Boots to explore a number of options and have meaningful and constructive discussions with PDA Union on initial proposals. Following these discussions, Boots were able to agree to enhancements to the original proposals. As a result, and in agreement with PDA Union, Boots will be offering a compensation package that both parties believe mitigates the impact of the changes by protecting income for those pharmacists and store managers who would see their income drop for a period of 18 months. These payments will be made in three stages.This agreement between Boots and the PDA Union applies only to this exercise and only to pharmacist and store manager roles currently in scope for consultation following changes to the operating hours of their pharmacy. Those roles affected by this change (which includes those who voluntarily agreed to the changes) will receive a communication from their line manager with full details of the offer. For Relief Pharmacist roles, please be reassured that these will be brought into scope once the changes for all affected in-store team members have been finalised.
Boots thanks everyone for the ongoing cooperation and support shown throughout the process as they take another step forward in creating a new foundation for the future of their business.
The PDA Union supports fully the steps taken to mitigate the impact of the changes and acknowledges the commitment shown by the company in addressing the concerns raised by pharmacists during the earlier stages of the process.
Collectively bargaining on behalf of members, as the negotiators have done here, is a key function of the PDA Union. Please share this communication with pharmacists who are not yet members and encourage them to join by clicking here. The more members the PDA has, the stronger the negotiating mandate.
The PDA will continue to support members with specific queries relating to these changes and members can contact the PDA Service Centre or speak to one of the PDA Union Network at Boots.
Learn more
- New Pharmacy Operating Model: Compensation – FAQ
- Boots Hours cuts – Frequently Asked Questions
- PDA raise concerns over Redundancy Selection Process at Boots
- Request to waive restrictions on pharmacists who face cuts to hours and pay
- Advice for Relief Pharmacists
- Legal right to trial period in redundancy situations
- Boots Pharmacists may be impacted by hours reduction
- Boots pharmacists’ employment concerns as details of proposed hours reductions are revealed
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