John Murphy, PDA Union General Secretary, comments: “The PDA Union has already been very successful within Boots when it comes to individual pharmacist representation supporting Boots pharmacists who face disciplinary action, however, seeking formal recognition would enable us take our activities to a whole new level and enable us to negotiate collectively with Boots with regards to the terms and conditions of pharmacists. Boots pharmacists have had enough of their terms of employment being gradually eroded and increasing numbers are asking for a formally recognised powerful union to protect their rights. With our support, seventeen Boots pharmacists are currently involved in a joint action in an Employment Tribunal against the company over changes to pay rates for Sundays. This is just the latest in a string of grievances that our members have brought to our attention, and Boots pharmacists deserve the best possible collective representation in this regard. I strongly urge Boots pharmacists to rally around this initiative, by visiting our website (www.pda-union.org) where they can pledge their support. It goes without saying that their name will not be revealed to their employer”
The PDA Union wrote to Alliance Boots last March to seek an informal voluntary agreement for the representation of pharmacists, but the company replied that its pharmacists are considered to be part of the “store’s team”; therefore pharmacists as a distinct group will not currently have any formal mechanism for negotiating terms and conditions. The PDA Union sees clear and categorical reasons why pharmacists are a separate and unique bargaining unit, based on their differential salary package, their professional position, and the statutory and ethical responsibilities within their role. The Union therefore feels it necessary to make this formal application so that it can more effectively represent its members’ rights.
History shows that some organisations prefer not to deal with strong unions because they fear interference in labour organisation, and Alliance Boots has stated its preference to deal with the Boots Pharmacists’ Association (BPA), an organisation that does not have full representative rights. The PDA Union has circa 2,000 Boots members and an excellent track record on defending them in disciplinary and employment grievances. It is completely independent of any employer, is staffed with expert pharmacists, legal professionals and trade union specialists, and has already secured nearly £1 million in compensation for its members across all the organisations in pharmacy from employers that have treated their employees unfairly or illegally.
If a voluntary agreement cannot be reached between Alliance Boots and the PDA Union then legislation provides for a specific and rigorous procedure to be followed that may lead all the way to the Central Arbitration Committee for a decision to be made.
“Pharmacists who are members of the BPA but not the PDA Union may wish to lobby the BPA to find a way to support the recognition of a formidable organisation that can represent the interests of pharmacist employees. I urge all Boots pharmacists to make an informed choice about the issues at stake.” says Mr Murphy.
More details ara available on www.the-pda.org
Pharmacists with any specific questions should contact enquiries@pda-union.org.