Pharmacists’ union negotiates to build on recognition victory

Following the announcement earlier this year of pharmacists and foundation trainee pharmacists employed at Superdrug to recognise the Pharmacists’ Defence Association Union (PDA) to represent them, the PDA says it has been negotiating with Superdrug senior management.

The Superdrug high street health and beauty outlet had decided not to voluntarily recognise the PDA, resulting in the PDA’s first such ballot since its bitter union recognition battle with Boots (see Labour Research, January 2025, page 7).

Following a drawn-out fight for recognition at Boots, the PDA secured recognition there and subsequently also secured recognition at LloydsPharmacy — though the latter was through a voluntary recognition agreement.

In February, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) confirmed that a ballot of pharmacists and foundation trainee pharmacists at Superdrug produced a vote that saw 94% (125 votes) in favour of recognition for the PDA union. (There were eight votes against.)

The PDA reported last month that it had been negotiating the terms of the recognition agreement with Superdrug which sets out how new arrangements will work.

The union said that while talks were still progressing, it was hopeful that it could work with Superdrug “to agree a framework that works for both employer and pharmacists, as has been achieved at other pharmacy employers across the sector”.