Boots pharmacists

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association Union, which represents around 2,300 of the 6,891 Boots pharmacists, has taken another step forward in its long battle for recognition by the pharmacy chain.

The Central Arbitration Committee has accepted its application for recognition, on the grounds that it has well over 10% of the bargaining unit already in membership and evidence that a majority would be likely to support recognition.

The case forced a change to the statutory recognition rules last year, which now state that recognition can only be blocked by the prior existence of another collective agreement if that agreement entitles the union(s) to bargain on pay, hours and holiday (see Labour Research, March 2013, page 7).

www.cac.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4691