Since pharmacists at Boots secured trade union recognition via the PDA in their historic ballot, the PDA collective bargaining agreement has transferred to several other employers as pharmacies have been divested. For example, as Boots withdrew from some prison and hospital contracts the PDA recognition transferred along with members to new employers such as wholly owned NHS subsidiaries and prison service contractors. This scenario also applies to the more recently agreed recognition at LloydsPharmacy where significant volumes of transfers are now occurring, and at other employers where the PDA has a recognition agreement.
No matter how similar any two businesses may be in culture or practice, such changes of ownership can be of significant concern to individuals who are employed at both the acquired business unit and also at the acquiring business. This is because there can sometimes be consequences for them too, such as changes to area arrangements. To help all involved the PDA encourages members to contact their union for advice if they have any concerns about the implications for their employment.
In cases where an existing business is acquired and absorbed into another, employees at the acquired business will have a new owner. The company transfers will often also mean new people, processes, and other changes impacting their working lives.
If members in such businesses are concerned about any proposed changes they should contact the PDA Member Support Centre. Members can ask the PDA for support before, during, and/or after the transfer if needed.
The PDA’s role as a recognised trade union includes helping members understand and exercise their rights at work, providing advice, representing pharmacists individually in company processes such as grievances and disciplinary hearings, as well as representing them collectively. For example, in pay negotiations the PDA provides a confidential method for pharmacists to be able to raise any concerns.
The PDA also encourages any pharmacists that are not yet PDA members, to join the PDA today.
The PDA has a network of representatives in LloydsPharmacy and Boots and many other pharmacy workplaces. PDA members who are interested in being a PDA Rep can find further information here. The PDA provides all representatives with training and 1-2-1 mentorship to ensure that they are all well-equipped to support members and have the knowledge and skills they need. PDA Reps in recognised workplaces are also entitled to facilities time during working hours to undertake their union duties.
Learn more
- PDA is supporting members that are being transferred out of Boots (12/12/19)
- Boots prison pharmacists to be transferred to Sodexo (27/8/20)
- Pay negotiations for former Boots pharmacists shows continuing benefit of PDA Union recognition (3/12/20)
- PDA supporting pharmacists at John Bell & Croyden subject to intra-group transfer at Hallo Healthcare (15/2/23)
- LloydsPharmacy Divestment Programme update (22/5/23)
- PDA Workplace Reps
Not yet a PDA Member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.