PDA to reach out to LloydsPharmacy for better pay hike as pharmacists reject 'unacceptable' offer

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) Union says it will be reaching out to LloydsPharmacy soon over a better deal on salary increase after the majority of its members rejected a three per cent offer made by the company recently.

Paul Day, director, PDA Union told Pharmacy Business: “The PDA Union will communicate the response of employed pharmacists to the company and seek further discussion to try and find an offer that will be acceptable to union members.

“Both management and union representatives have a vested interest in working to find such a solution and that is the outcome we hope to achieve.”

After months of negotiation by the PDA Union, the company offered a three per cent increase in salaries from the 1.8 per cent in the earlier offer made by the company.

“Through negotiation over last few months that was increased to 3.0 per cent, plus a long term incentive plan (LTIP).  Though the LTIP potentially offers large bonuses, it isn’t guaranteed. Therefore what we put to members was the confirmed offer of three per cent  increase in salaries,” said Paul.

However, the majority of the members voted to reject the offer.

Paul added: “We are going back to the company to see if a better deal can be reached.”

Since February, the Union is in talks with the company to secure an offer that is acceptable to its member. Lloyds Pharmacists had made offers to increase pay by 1.8 per cent and 2.3 per cent, the latter coupled with a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) that will deliver further increases in income, but not for two years. But both the offers were earlier rejected by the members.