Joint Statement
Three weeks ago, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) confirmed that the Pharmacists’ Defence Association Union (PDAU) had been successful in its application to be recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining with Boots and we were given a four week window to seek a voluntary recognition agreement.
There have now been a number of meetings between Boots and the PDAU and we are writing together again to provide you with an update.
The meetings have all been co-chaired by Anne Higgins, Director of Stores Scotland and Northern Ireland and Paul Day, PDA Union National Officer. Anne was partnered by Matthew Blain, Director of HR Operations; and Kirsty Pitcher, Director of HR Retail & Opticians. The PDAU were also represented by: Mark Pitt, Assistant General Secretary, Michael Radcliffe and Helen Lewis.
We have been collaborating to create a voluntary recognition agreement that will set out the future relationship between the parties. We’re making strong progress and have now agreed the detail of what constitutes ‘pay, hours, and holiday’ for the purposes of negotiation.
We have also reached an agreement on the structures for negotiation and consultation, through which our agreement will operate.
There is still lots of work to do, but both sides believe that we have begun to establish a strong framework for our future. We have agreed to mutually extend the deadline imposed by the CAC in order to continue our conversations.
We will keep you updated as our discussions continue.
Kind regards,
For Boots UK:
Matthew Blain, Director of HR Operations,
Kirsty Pitcher, Director of HR Retail & Opticians,
Anne Higgins, Director of Stores Scotland and Northern Ireland – Boots UK,
For PDA Union:
Mark Pitt, Assistant General Secretary
Paul Day, National Officer
Helen Lewis, Regional Officer