The PDA is the recognised trade union at Boots and continue to represent pharmacists if Boots transfer them to new employers, for example if a branch is sold to another contractor or a hospital outpatient contract expires.
At the time of recent transfers of employment, the PDA was consulted about the terms to transfer and was advised that any discretionary bonus would be paid proportionately to such individuals.
The union continues to represent those individual pharmacists at their new employer and has now contacted Boots on behalf of their former employees to obtain confirmation this will apply to the recently announced bonus.
Those who transfer between employers due to TUPE transfers are often referred to as among those classed as “Good leavers” because they ceased to work for their former employer due to a company decision, not because of anything the individual decided or did.
Gordon Finlayson, Divisional PDA representative and a pharmacist still at the Boots said: “Pharmacists at Boots are glad to see our former colleagues get a fair share of this discretionary bonus. We recognise such a change of employment that happened to them could potentially happen to any of us and we’d all like to know Boots would treat us fairly too, should such a transfer of employment happen to our workplace.”
Individuals who transferred from Boots and will receive a share of the bonus should receive a letter from the company providing more details.