In a joint statement released today (February 13), the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) and Boots announced that trainee pharmacists working at the multiple will see their pay increase from April 1.
The uplift, which applies across England and Northern Ireland, will see trainee pharmacists earn:
- £14.52 for those working in Zone A
- £14.52 for those working in Zone B
- £14.70 for those working in Zone C
Read more: BREAKING: Boots and PDA agree 4% pharmacist uplift in 2024 pay deal
C+D understands that the pay zones are linked to the cost of living in the area.
The new pay rates “will be applied centrally in the April pay run”, the statement said.
But the new rates will show during the annual benefits enrolment window from February 18 “to allow team members to select benefits on their new hourly rate for April 1”, it added.
How much has pay increased?
The new rates mean that Boots trainee pharmacists working in Zone A will see their pay increase 14% since last April, when their pay rate was £12.69.
Trainees in Zone B will see a 5% uplift from £13.79, while those working in Zone C will also see a 5% pay rise from £14.05 last year.
Read more: Superdrug union recognition ‘secret ballot’ to launch next week
In October, the PDA announced that fully qualified Boots pharmacists would see a 4% uplift in pay from the following month, while pharmacist store managers and long-time pharmacist workers would also see new minimum pay rates.
Meanwhile, the union last month confirmed that a “secret postal ballot” would take place from January to secure union recognition at Superdrug, which is currently open with results expected next week.
