The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has announced it is seeking trade union recognition at Superdrug in a move that could see it represent an estimated ‘bargaining unit’ of 200 pharmacists. 

The announcement on Friday (September 27) follows the Central Arbitration Committee’s (CAC) decision to allow the PDA’s application for recognition to proceed to the next stage, with the union commenting that the formal application has been accompanied by simultaneous “direct discussions” with the chain around a potential voluntary agreement.

In its representations to the CAC, the PDA said it believed there were 200 workers in the proposed bargaining unit, of whom it claimed “more than 60 per cent” are currently PDA members. The number of employed pharmacists was disputed by the company, which has over 10,000 staff members in total.

PDA Union general secretary Mark Pitt said: “We have responded to members at Superdrug by initiating this process of recognition. We hope a voluntary agreement can be reached with the company, and the CAC application helps to encourage constructive and timely dialogue with company management.”

Speaking to P3pharmacy, PDA director Paul Day said discussions with Superdrug management have taken place over “several months” and have so far been process-focused, with the company having given no indication as yet regarding its own preferred outcome from the talks.

 “We’d always rather have peace than conflict,” said Mr Day, comparing the voluntary agreement the union reached with the now-defunct LloydsPharmacy to the protracted battle with Boots UK that resulted in a pharmacist ballot.

Asked whether the union was eying up recognition agreements at other chains such as Well Pharmacy, he replied: “We’re ultimately looking at everywhere.”

A spokesperson for Superdrug told P3pharmacy: “Superdrug and the PDA are currently in constructive discussions about the possibility of a voluntary recognition agreement.

“Simultaneously the PDA has applied to the CAC for statutory union recognition in Superdrug. The application process is ongoing and still at the early stages.”