3% on Unichem wage bill

Pharmaceutical wholesale staff saw their pay rise from 5 January under a deal worth 3% on the total wage bill. There are two sets of pay rates for most grades (but not LGV drivers), depending on location, with workers at Chessington, Croydon, Walthamstow and Letchworth ("Division A") receiving the higher rates.

"Family-friendly" policies at the company provide for average earnings to be paid during time off for dependants, non-enforcement of the statutory commencement date (December 1999) for unpaid Parental Leave, with any parental leave being regarded as separate from either maternity or paternity leave. And, subject to employees returning to work, maternity pay is now six weeks at 100% of average earnings followed by 12 weeks at 50% or the lower rate of statutory maternity pay, whichever is greater.

Hours range form 37.5 for clerical staff to 39 for warehouse operatives and 45 for drivers (40 for LGV Articulated).

Unichem weekly rates

Div A Div B 1 (Clerical ) 203.25 182.81 2 (Senior Clerical) 223.50 201.75 3 (Warehouse) 198.12 180.18 4 (Warehouse) 211.38 190.13 5 (Warehouse) 232.44 209.82

Driver 297.68 277.65

LGV Articulated (days) 250.40 -

LGV Articulated (nights) 325.60 -