This episode features a story of union building against the odds – disparate workers, often isolated from each other,a “sweetheart” union and employer hostility.  For Paul Day and his colleagues in the Pharmacists Defence Association Union(PDAU), the challenge in organising the pharmacists in Boots plc was significant. 

We discuss with Paul the process of removing the in-houseunion sand then engaging with potential members, the experience of having to use the statutory recognition/derecognition measures and what happened next.

In this instance, what happened next was further union building success for the PDAU in the former Lloyds chemists’ group and more recently Superdrug.

Paul is an engaging and captivating guest – someone whoreally has “worn the t-shirT and eaten the pie” as they say.

We’re grateful to have the support of Thompsons, the leading trade union and social justice law firm, The GeneralFederation of Trade Unions - delivering trade union education,building solidarity and the home of StrikeMap, Pellacraft, award winning and trusted supplier of promotional goods, and Battersea and Wandsworth Trade Union Council. Thank you all.

Episode run time 32m22s. Organising For A Change ispresented by Martin Smith and Simon Sapper. Music is by Scott Holmes. It is a Makes-You-Think production. Contact the show at organising@makes-you-think.com.  This episode was first published on 11 April.  Organising For A Change willreturn in the autumn.