The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) Union is taking its long-running court battle with Boots one step further by challenging UK employment law.

Current UK law, which allows employers to bargain with non-independent unions, breaches the European Convention of Human Rights, the PDA Union has argued in a legal request filed with the High Court on Tuesday (February 11).

The request will seek to overturn last month's High Court decision that Boots could legally refuse to recognise the PDA Union. At the time, Boots said the decision would "clearly" affect the union's chances of success in its bid for recognition.

"Boots is exploiting a loophole in British law to keep pharmacists from having an independent union," says PDA union general secretary John Murphy	More on the PDA Union case Adjudicator puts PDA bid for Boots recognition on hold High Court blow for PDA in Boots recognition battle PDA Union gets green light to pursue Boots recognition
	The PDA Union has sought the right to represent Boots pharmacists for more than two years but the multiple has stood by its decision to only recognise the Boots Pharmacists' Association, which lacks statutory rights to bargain on terms and conditions such as working hours, pay and holidays. Boots has repeatedly stressed that it is committed to its pharmacists.

"We want to continue to build great relationships between pharmacists, their line managers and their local team to create the best working environment and provide even better care for our patients," a company spokesperson said.

But the PDA Union argued that Boots was ignoring "the will of the majority of its own pharmacists". Boots UK says it employs about 6,700 pharmacists and the PDA Union claims it had 2,100 Boots members last year.

"Boots is exploiting a loophole in British law to keep pharmacists from having an independent union that can negotiate their terms and conditions in a critical safety role," stressed the union's general secretary John Murphy.

If the PDA Union convinces the courts that UK law goes against the European Convention of Human Rights, it will have implications for all UK workers seeking union representation. Parliament would be "under pressure" to change UK law as a result, the PDA Union explained.

"Our efforts can lay the groundwork for a change in British law that will strengthen all workers' rights to an independent voice at work," Mr Murphy said.

The PDA Union estimates it will be "a few weeks at least" before a ruling is made on its request.