Members of Boots UK’s internal union will be balloted on whether they wish to join the PDA Union, the PDAU publicly announced last Thursday as it said the continued existence of the Boots Pharmacists Association is “not sustainable”.

The ballot, which will be held in late October and early November, will establish whether members of the Boots Pharmacists Association (BPA) will be absorbed into the PDAU at the beginning of 2025 – a move the BPA’s executive committee has reportedly indicated would be “in the best interest” of its members, believed to number several hundred.

The PDAU said this could increase its membership among Boots employed pharmacists from 60-70 per cent to “over 70 per cent,” which it said would “enhance the collective voice for all pharmacists at the company” as former BPA members would input into negotiations on pay and conditions.   

“It has been clear for some time that continuing as a separate entity is not sustainable long term for the BPA,” said the PDAU, which was recognised as the trade union for a bargaining unit of Boots pharmacists in a landslide vote in 2019. 

BPA chair Khuram Ahmad 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.” 

PDAU general secretary Mark Pitt 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.”

Earlier this month, the PDAU and Boots announced a four per cent pay rise for the bargaining unit to recognise the “unique role” played by pharmacists. 

Meanwhile, in late September the PDAU revealed it is seeking trade union recognition at Superdrug to represent an estimated bargaining unit of 200 pharmacists.