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.