Following extensive talks, the Boots Pharmacists Association (BPA) and PDA Union have agreed terms for the BPA to merge into the PDA Union. The proposed transfer has already received formal approval by the trade union regulator and a postal ballot of BPA members will take place from mid-October. If a majority of BPA members support the proposed transfer, on 1 January 2025 all BPA members will become members of the PDA Union.
Background
It has been clear for some time that continuing as a separate entity is not sustainable long term for the BPA. The BPA Executive Committee reflected on the milestone anniversary of representing Boots pharmacists for 50 years, in 2023. Following that and looking ahead to the future it was intended to close the BPA in 2024, however, the BPA Executive Committee unanimously agreed that transferring to the PDA Union is in the best interests of BPA members.
Khuram Ahmad, BPA Chair said, “We believe that the proposed arrangement where members can continue trade union membership through the PDA will be far better for BPA members and means the organisation’s story will continue into a new chapter as part of the PDA.”
Pharmacists may recall that in 2018 pharmacists employed at Boots voted to derecognise the BPA, enabling a second vote in 2019 to recognise the PDA Union. While the BPA would have wished for a different outcome from those processes, they have always respected the democratic decision of pharmacists and the two unions have maintained a positive and professional relationship, meeting periodically to discuss matters of concern to pharmacists.
That positive relationship between the two organisations enabled frank conversations about the future of the BPA and has led to the proposal that will now be put to BPA members.
Mark Pitt, PDA Union General Secretary said, “Most pharmacists employed at Boots are already PDA members and adding the BPA membership will further enhance the collective voice of pharmacists at the company which is better for all pharmacists.”
Since 2019 the PDA has been able to negotiate pay and conditions for Boots pharmacists and engage with the company on a range of issues including health and safety, redundancies, TUPE transfers, and more. The PDA also has a network of Boots pharmacists trained as union representatives who get paid time away from their normal duties to support PDA members at the company. The latest Pay settlement can be found here. While all employed pharmacists at Boots have benefited from this activity, only PDA members are asked to confirm acceptance of such agreements with the company.
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