Scroll down the page to see a history of the PDA Union campaign to collectively bargain on behalf of Lloyds pharmacists for their pay, hours and holiday entitlement.
Talks make progress towards a voluntary recognition agreement
December 23, 2020December 2020
PDA Union negotiators representing pharmacists at Lloyds Pharmacy have progressed talks with company representatives and the two sides have issued their first joint statement. Read more
Bargaining unit decided by CAC panel
November 21, 2020November 2020
Pharmacists at Lloyds have moved another step closer to securing an independent voice at work through their trade union, the PDAU. The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) have decided which pharmacists will be in scope of union recognition; accepting in full the PDA proposal and rejecting entirely the company’s alternative. Read more
Lloyds breach data security
September 30, 2020October 2020
Lloyds send a confusing update to staff about the recognition process without mentioning they have twice breached the security of pharmacists’ data.
Pharmacists’ application accepted by the CAC
September 10, 2020September 2020
After assessing the PDAU application for recognition, the CAC determine that 43% of store pharmacists are already PDA Union members and it is likely that a majority of Lloyds pharmacists would vote for union recognition if it went to a ballot. The application is therefore formally accepted.
Application to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC)
July 9, 2020July 2020
As the formal request for recognition in February has not been progressed by the company, PDA Union submit a statutory application for recognition at Lloyds to be actioned by the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC). The CAC are the judicial body that oversee fair and efficient arrangements in the workplace either by voluntary agreement or, if necessary, through a legal decision. Read more
PDA exceeds 30,000 members
March 30, 2020March 2020
PDA Union’s membership has grown in size every year since inception and ends the year with over 30,000 members
PDA Union formally request recognition at Lloyds
February 7, 2020February 2020
Though positive informal discussions have been continuing for months between company and union, the PDA Union write formally, but privately, to Lloyds to place on record the statutory application for recognition for pharmacists.
Pharmacists at Boots secure trade union recognition
March 11, 20192019
6,500 UK pharmacists secure trade union recognition for the PDA Union at the largest community pharmacy employer. Pharmacists at Boots now have an independent voice at work and are able to negotiate for better pay and other improvements.
PDA Union membership exceeds 20,000 for first time
July 2, 20162014
PDA Union AGM hears that the year end membership has passed 20,000 for the first time.
Celesio acquired by McKesson
January 1, 20142014
UK business McKesson complete the acquisition of Celesio, but wait until 2017 to change the name of Celesio AG to “McKesson Europe”. The UK pharmacies continue to trade under the LloydsPharmacy brand.
Pharmacists first ask for union recognition at Lloyds
January 1, 20122012
PDA Union write to LloydsPharmacy and other major employers requesting trade union recognition for pharmacists. No employer agrees, but pharmacists don’t give up. Starting at Boots, pharmacists continue with legal action and other activity to secure trade union recognition; the Boots campaign will take 7 years.
PDA Union awarded certificate of independence
January 6, 20072010
The Trades Union Certification Officer grants the PDA Union a certificate of independence, demonstrating that the PDA Union is outside the control of employers. This enabled the PDA Union to seek statutory recognition at community pharmacy employers to collectively bargain with the company on behalf of its pharmacists for better terms and conditions of employment.
PDA Union Established
January 5, 20072008
The PDA Union officially registers with the Trades Union Certification Officer. The first union executive elections are held. The PDA is the only independent trade union exclusively for pharmacists in the UK.
PDA Established
January 4, 20072003
Following the Peppermint Water case, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association is established to provide legal defence services to pharmacists and pre-regs. Though the PDA can achieve much for pharmacists, the employers are able to block some activity as only independent trade unions have the legal status to engage in union representation in the workplace.
Peppermint Water Case
January 3, 200729th April 1998
A dispensing error in the preparation of peppermint water leads to the death of a 3-week old baby. A pharmacist and a pre-registration graduate are charged with manslaughter; both are cleared but plead guilty to an offence under the Medicines Act. The pharmacist had only been qualified for 21 months; The employer had not renewed the pharmacy’s registration to provide pre-reg training and the pre-reg had worked there one day per week for several months, exceeding the maximum 7 days allowed. The company and its superintendent faced no action link This case was a major motivation for employed pharmacists to create an organsation that represented their interests and defended them, the PDA.
LloydsPharmacy acquired by Celesio AG
October 13, 19971997
After 20+ years of growth and acquiring existing pharmacy businesses, LLoyds is itself purchased by Celesio AG. Lloyds is merged with Celesio’s existing UK subsidiary AAH Pharmaceuticals’ Hills Pharmacy network to form a network of 1300 pharmacies.
LloydsPharmacy founded
October 13, 19731973
Lloyds Chemist began in 1973 when Allen Lloyd purchased his first pharmacy in Polesworth Warwickshire
Unions form to represent workers’ rights
January 1, 17001700s
Skilled workers in the UK began organising themselves into trade unions, to represent workers’ rights and campaign for better treatment and working conditions from their employers.