The Midcounties Co-operative group has announced that it has sold 28 of its 30 branches and intends to complete the sale of one more branch next month, leaving the group with just one pharmacy. Such changes of ownership will be of significant concern to individuals who are employed at the pharmacies, and the PDA encourage members to contact their union for advice on the implications for their employment.
In cases where an existing business is acquired and absorbed into another, employees will usually find that through no act or decision of their own, they will have a new employer. The company transfers will often also mean new people, processes and other changes impacting their working lives.
However, in circumstances like this, the employees’ contract of employment can also be transferred to the new employer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, also known as “TUPE”. This means that the contract of employment of the individuals transfer to the new employer and effectively the individual should not see any major changes to their working arrangements because of the transfer.
If members are concerned about such changes they should contact the PDA Service Centre. Members can ask us for support before, during and/or after the transfer if needed. It is normally better to contact us as questions or concerns emerge, rather than allow the situation to develop before confirming and exercising your rights at work.
In advance of such situations, we would also encourage any pharmacists that are not yet PDA members to join us