Pharmacists at Superdrug asked the PDA Union to secure recognition so that they can negotiate for improved pay and conditions through their union. A formal application to the government’s CAC sought to include all senior pharmacy managers, pharmacy managers, pharmacists, relief pharmacists, and trainee pharmacists who work in Superdrug pharmacies.
For reasons still unclear, Superdrug’s management would not agree to include 21 SPMs. These pharmacists have additional responsibilities to other pharmacy managers but still regularly work as the responsible pharmacist and are often the only pharmacist in their store.
This group of pharmacists would have been denied the benefits of trade union recognition if the company’s position had prevailed and created a gap in the union’s coverage across all Superdrug pharmacies.
The PDA heard directly from SPMs who confirmed they wanted to be included in the arrangement and the union, therefore, could not agree to this smaller bargaining unit. To decide the issue the CAC arranged a hearing to independently determine the bargaining unit following receipt of legal submissions from the PDA and Superdrug.
Shortly after the PDA’s legal submission was delivered to the CAC, the company conceded and agreed that SPMs will be included. The company, having withdrawn their objections meant the CAC hearing was no longer required.
Mark Pitt, PDA Union General Secretary said, “We are pleased that Superdrug management have now accepted that Senior Pharmacy Managers belong in the bargaining unit proposed by the union and look forward to further constructive discussions about working towards a recognition agreement.
Superdrug pharmacists asked us to apply for recognition after seeing how successful this type of relationship has worked in Boots over the past 5 years.
We invite Superdrug to reach a voluntary agreement with us and exit the formal process so pharmacists can start to have their voice heard in the company.”
Pharmacists working at Superdrug can email [email protected] to share their views with the PDA Union on this subject or ask any questions.
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Learn more
- Trade Union recognition for Superdrug pharmacists
- Superdrug pharmacists explore what union recognition could mean for them
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