Before setting up PL-UK I worked for Boots for 8 years as a relief manager, pharmacy manager and eventually store manager. Even then, in 2004, many of the more experienced managers were staying with Boots for one reason, the pension scheme. After the dot.com bubble burst, Boots were the only FTSE 100 company who had enough money in the pension scheme due to their foresight in pulling out of stocks and shares and moving all the funds to high quality bonds before the bubble burst.
So how do those same experienced managers feel now that Boots are trying to change the goalposts on them? Betrayed, annoyed, surprised? I would guess the first two but not the last.
It comes as no surprise nowadays when a company closes it’s final salary pension scheme as it’s happened so often but I do feel for my ex-colleagues. So what should they do?
To be honest, I don’t think there is a right answer. I would happily take them on to my agencies books as the vast majority are highly capable pharmacists who are professional, reliable and up to date with CPD. However, in terms or retirement planning, they are still probably safer working for Boots as “private” pensions are even more of a minefield than company pension schemes.
Having said that, if there are experienced pharmacists out there who decide that this is the last straw, give PL-UK a ring on 0333 123 3344, we’d be delighted to get you on board.

PL-UK – for all the best pharmacy jobs

Message from the PDA

Further to our last email, voting has now commenced for the employee
representatives to be involved in the consultation process for Alliance
Boots employees in the Final Salary Pension Scheme.

The following PDA Union pharmacists are standing for election as
employee representatives and we urge all eligible employees to use their
vote.

- Elaine Chapman
- Ross Flavell
- Mervyn Hodkinson
- Howard Ainsworth
- John Sargeant
- Paul Newman

Any PDA member who is elected as an employee representative will be
eligible for additional independent training and support, including
access to employment lawyers specialising in community pharmacy issues.
Employee representatives can also opt to receive additional training to
become an accredited PDA trade union representative.

In addition to using your vote, I would like to remind you of the PDA
Conference taking place over the weekend of 27th/28th February, where a
special session has been added to specifically address the proposals by
Alliance Boots.

Details of the conference can be found via the link at the bottom of
this email.

Kind regards

John Murphy
General Secretary
PDA Union

Don’t forget to register for the Annual PDA Conference, ‘THE GOOD, THE
BAD AND THE UGLY!’ on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th February 2010. Visit
http://www.the-pda.org for further details

Fantastic news – Rhubarb Crumble cancer “cure”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7214248/Rhubarb-crumble-the-new-cancer-busting-superfood.html

As we did in Spring and summer 2009, PL-UK are conducting a locum pay rate survey to get a feel for the average pay rate locum pharmacists are securing, this time during the “quiet” part of the year.

To take part, simply visit the PL-UK homepage www.pluk.co.uk and click on your avarage pay rate. You will instantly find out how your average rate compare to other locum pharmacists.

PL-UK – for all the best pharmacy jobs

More locum pharmacists are required to join the team at PL-UK. I can honestly say that we have never been busier in February so if you are looking for work and your current pharmacy locum agency can’t help, call PL-UK on 0333 123 3344

PL-UK for all the best pharmacy jobs

We are looking to work with professional, reliable pharmacists who are willing to work on an emergency booking basis.

For some reason we seem to be receiving more and more emergency requests every morning and companies are will to pay top rates to fill these last minute emergencies.

To work as one of our emergency locums we need locum pharmacists to be available from 8am in the morning so we can ensure that pharmacies open on time, or as need to on-time as possible.

Call Linda or Lynne if you are interested in working on an emergency basis 0333 123 3344

PL-UK – for all the best pharmacy jobs

Lloyds Pharmacy to cut up to 100 jobs from Head Office.

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2010/02/05/lloyds-pharmacy-set-to-axe-100-jobs-in-coventry-92746-25768613/