There are many benefits of becoming a member of the PDA union, these include...
Union status gives us a legal entitlement to accompany our members to internal employment grievance and disciplinary meetings.
Union members will be offered advice concerning all employment issues and if necessary, a trade union accredited pharmacist representative can accompany the union member to grievance and disciplinary meeting to ensure that these meeting are conducted in accordance with relevant employment legislation. No other trade union can guarantee that the representative will be a pharmacist and therefore, fully understand the professional issues that may be a factor in any grievance or disciplinary hearing
Union status will give the PDA certain legal rights of consultation and negotiation rights with all employers of PDA members where we have recognition rights. Where we have more than 50% of employees being PDA Union members, we can seek recognition rights. This means that our union will be able to discuss matters related to the employment of its members with employers; and employers will ultimately be required to consult and where necessary negotiate with the PDA if it is proposing any changes that will affect the employment of PDA members.
PDA union members will be able to obtain advice concerning employment legislation from the PDA union office. We will not be able to offer advice on professional matters or offer any indemnity insurance. This must be obtained from the PDA. Union membership is available through PDA membership and so all benefits of the two organisations will be conferred to the member.
A well supported PDA union could go a long way towards addressing the imbalance of influence within the profession between the vast majority of pharmacists who are employees or locums and who have little say in the way they practice, and the small number of large employers (community or NHS) who we believe have far too much influence. Your voice will be heard through the membership groups and union membership gives you access to Membership Group Committees and through these to the Executive Committee.
A pharmacist can join any Union they wish; however, the PDA union has the ability to focus on the complex pharmacist and pharmacy related issues in addition to those that are related to those affecting our members' employment rights and status. We know that is a big advantage for pharmacists that our strength will lie in the fact that we truly understand the not insignificant pharmacy nuances.
Independent unions can obtain grants to support appropriate projects linked to terms and conditions such as pay and seeking a healthy and safe working environment. Support is also available to meet members' educational needs in relation to the working environment and employment law.
Stand alone union members will also receive a copy of the PDA Insight magazine.
