The meeting heard from PDA Union Director, Paul Day, PDA Union General Secretary, Mark Pitt, and PDA National Rep in Boots, Gordon Finlayson, who shared their insights and experiences of securing recognition.
Gordon, a community pharmacist who has worked at Boots for over 20 years, shared how the PDA Union’s recognition agreement at Boots has had a positive impact on pharmacists working there, as well as some key achievements since gaining recognition.
Paul and Mark, who have extensive experience in negotiation recognition agreements, spoke on the benefits of strong union membership and what a recognition agreement can bring to community pharmacists. They also answered members’ queries about how pay negotiations work, how union recognition could support Superdrug pharmacists facing high targets and increased services, and how members can ensure the success of the recognition campaign.
Once the union is recognised it will be able to negotiate for improved pay, terms and conditions, and workplace policies for everyone in an agreed “bargaining unit” of employees. Paul and Mark updated attendees on the ongoing discussions regarding the bargaining unit between the PDA and Superdrug management. Superdrug are seeking to exclude senior pharmacy managers from the bargaining unit. However, the PDA believes that as Responsible Pharmacists (RP) in charge of their own branch, as well as taking on additional work supporting other branches, they should be included and also able to benefit from union recognition.
The PDA would like to hear from more of the senior pharmacy manager population who can contact the PDA in confidence to share their views by emailing [email protected].
Mark Pitt said, “We had a great turnout at the event and are engaging with many Superdrug pharmacists offline too. It is great to know so many enthusiastic pharmacists are ready to get involved.”
The online event provided the opportunity for pharmacists and trainees working at Superdrug to ask any questions, raise concerns, and share ways that they think their working lives can be improved. Those who didn’t get the chance to attend and share their views are encouraged to get in touch by emailing [email protected] . Those who would like to register their interest for future Superdrug member meetings can do so by clicking here.
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