The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p763-765
1 June 2002

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Letters to the Editor

Trade unions

Excellent for communicating, debating and influencing

From Mr G. Diamond, MRPharmS

I find the attitude of Robert Gartside reactionary in reference to employee pharmacists' wish to form a trade union (PJ, 25 May, p719). I have been a member of a trade union for some 20 years. In that time as an individual trade unionist, I have found it to be an excellent vehicle for communicating, debating, and influencing Government and other bodies in making legislation which affects the whole community as well as impacting on major health and social care issues.

Moreover, to view trade unions as simply a medium of negative action fails to give a balanced representation of modern trade unionists. That is apart from giving a collective method of broad consultation for members to employers. It also is a good medium with which change can be managed in partnership with employers. For example, Boots has had a good partnership with trade unions for many years and is, by and large, a good employer.

Indeed, if pharmacists back in the 1800s did not organise collectively as owners, then the Pharmaceutical Society would not have been formed. Also, it has been the individualistic aspects of the lone practitioner in the profession that has enabled the Government to divide and conquer remuneration deals. I would commend to the profession the ability of the trade unions to organise collectively.

Gerry Diamond
Manchester

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