Boots has stood by its decision to not recognise formally the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) Union following talks with the organisation last month, C+D understands.

The health and beauty giant met the PDA Union on March 2 to discuss the union's request for formal recognition following its claims that Boots employees' employment terms were being "gradually eroded". But in the latest rebuttle, Boots had stood by its decision to not recognise formally the union, PDA Union general secretary John Murphy told C+D.

Boots' refusal to recognise the PDA Union comes amid a dispute over Sunday premium pay between the multiple and employees

Pharmacists challenge Boots pay in tribunal PDA and Boots to hold talks on formal recognition Union slams ‘erosion' of employment rights at Boots

Mr Murphy revealed that the PDA Union would now be seeking independent arbitration on the case from the statutory adjudicator, the Central Arbitration Committee. "Boots has refused our application for formal recognition and I've written to them and told them that we've decided to go ahead and take the case to the Central Arbitration Committee," he said. Boots declined to confirm its response to the PDA Union's request for recognitio, but repeated its statement that its collaborative work with the independent Boots Pharmacists' Association (BPA) was the "best way" to represent its pharmacists' interests.

The multiple also stressed that it was "keen to work with the PDA informally and continue to meet up regularly to listen and share ideas, views and concerns".

The news came as the PDA awaited the outcome of a tribunal against Boots by employees over alleged cuts to Sunday premium pay rates. The employment tribunal hearings, in which three claimants were set to act as test cases, began on April 10, when the PDA reported that Boots had made a "last-minute application" to amend its defence.

"This took up all of the first day in legal argument as to whether it should be allowed, resulting in only two days left to hear witness evidence," the PDA said. The union also claimed that Boots had argued premium Sunday rates were "discretionary" rather than contractual.

Boots said it was unable to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

The judge has not yet given a verdict on the tribunal cases but Mr Murphy said he expected a decision to be made "quite soon".