Members will also be aware that the company announced on 10th September that employees due a pay increase on 1st November would not receive any increase as the company would impose a pay freeze. However, that announcement explicitly excluded pharmacists, making clear that the pay of pharmacists was determined by the ongoing negotiations between the company and the PDA Union.
This statement is to remind members that these discussions are continuing with the involvement of ACAS, the independent publicly funded body, whose remit is to assist in resolving disputes such as this over pay.
Paul Moloney, PDA Union National Officer and Chair of the negotiating committee, commented: “We remain hopeful that by seeking the assistance of ACAS we will be able to secure additional pay for members enabling us to secure a package of important improvements in what are uniquely difficult times. The fact that this has not been possible by the 1st November due date is disappointing but unfortunately inevitable once it became clear the company wished to impose their pay freeze on pharmacists”.
The PDA Union negotiating team will continue to work tirelessly to represent pharmacists in the ongoing talks and members will be updated as soon as possible once discussions with ACAS have concluded.