With just 14 days until voting can start in the ballot of Boots pharmacists, the trade union behind the campaign is calling on every eligible employee to make sure they cast their vote.
The PDA Union has taken its 7-year campaign to secure an independent voice at work for Boots pharmacists further than any other trade union has ever done before. It is the first to reach the point of a ballot that is required to remove an agreement with a non-independent union, often called a sweetheart union – which blocks the PDA Union from being formally recognised.
John Murphy, General Secretary of the PDA Union, said “We will never stop working in the interests of our members and pharmacists in general, and whatever the outcome of this ballot we will still be there doing what’s best for our members.”
“Because Boots is the largest employer of community pharmacists, working conditions there often influence the rest of the sector and so those voting in the ballot aren’t just voting to improve their own situation, but can help set a precedent for their professional colleagues across the sector.”
The law being used in this application has never been used before, despite existing for 17 years, and anyone interested in employment relations across various industries will also be looking at the outcome. Employees represented by the BECTU section of the PROSPECT union at Picture House cinemas and Employees represented by the University and College Union (UCU) at Coventry University are among those facing similar situations where an employer is blocking an independent voice at work for employees.
At Boots, pharmacists want an independent voice at work so any concerns about patient safety, employment conditions or other matters at work can be raised collectively and independently. They want an independent trade union to negotiate their terms and conditions including pay, hours and holidays.
But what they have currently in the BPA is a staff association which the Certification Officer (the regulator of trade unions) declared is not independent of Boots and is “liable to interference, tending towards domination or control” by Boots, and the Central Arbitration Committee (another government body) stated the BPA “seeks to be a close ally of the employer”.
Mr Murphy continued: “When you look beyond the legal jargon and complex process this is a very simple situation. Thousands of pharmacists want and deserve an independent trade union on their side, speaking up for them and resolving matters so that they can focus on delivering excellent patient care. Sadly, the owners and senior management of Boots have rejected that and instead agreed in secret a blocking arrangement with the BPA.”
“Thankfully UK law gives employees the legal right to challenge such situations and it’s now up to those pharmacists and pre-registration graduates at Boots to make it happen. The PDA Union is calling on every Boots pharmacist and pre-registration graduate, whether you are a member of the PDA Union, the BPA, neither, or both to vote and let your voice be heard.”
Ballot papers are due to be dispatched on 10 May to the home addresses of the workers and must be returned by 23 May to be counted. Read more https://www.the-pda.org/official-notice-of-ballot-to-derecognise-the-bpa/