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PDA Union and Boots UK sign historic recognition agreement

Representatives of Boots UK and the pharmacists trade union, PDA Union have signed a formal recognition agreement outlining how the union will represent the 7,000 store based pharmacists and pre-registration pharmacists at the largest multiple pharmacy employer in the UK

Thu 11th July 2019 PDA Union

The agreement follows an 8 year dispute between the two parties which was finally resolved after an overwhelming majority of pharmacists voted in favour of independent union recognition through a ballot overseen by the Central Arbitration Committee.

Mark Pitt , Assistant General Secretary of the PDA Union said “Although the company resisted recognising the union for many years, discussions since the ballot have been positive and the PDA Union is hopeful that this is the beginning of a relationship that will be mutually beneficial for the company and pharmacists”

The company already recognise other independent trade unions in their UK Distribution division and have recognition arrangements for pharmacists and other store staff in other countries; however this will be the first time that Boots pharmacists in the UK have had a trade union negotiate their pay and conditions.

The PDA Union was established in 2008 and the agreement at Boots is currently their largest recognition arrangement.  The union will now collectively bargain in on behalf of members at Boots in addition to the individual representation, support and advice they have always provided to members.

Mark concluded: “I’d now encourage those remaining pharmacists at Boots who are not yet in PDA membership, to sign up.  PDAU members will now have the opportunity to become involved by being trained as Union representatives in order to support their colleagues and all members can help  shape our priorities and strategy by engaging with the union”

This arrangement at Boots is just the beginning of the recognition journey with other employers for PDA Union and we believe the agreement with Boots will help over time to improve conditions at other employers and will benefit locums as well.

You can read the joint statement from PDAU and Boots here

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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