Uncertain futures

Retail giant Sainsbury’s announced last week (July 29) that it has sold its chain of pharmacies to Celesio, the German drugs wholesaler owning LloydsPharmacy, in a deal worth £125m.

 
The sale will include 277 in-store pharmacies and four hospital pharmacies, many of which are in London, and will affect 2,500 employees.

 
Unite has expressed deep concern over potential job losses, and will call on management to have meaningful consultations with members.

 
The group consultation process is set to begin in September, with the full transfer expected to be completed by February of next year.

 
Unite national convener for Sainsbury’s, Tracey Ashworth said that of the pharmacies being sold, 112 of them are in Unite-recognised stores.

 
“The sale looks like it’s a done deal, and in the coming months we will be communicating with members and management to ensure that job losses, if any, are limited and that our members are protected,” she said.

 
“This is an uncertain time for our members working in Sainsbury’s pharmacies and as a union we are doing all we can to make sure that the consultation has our members’ interests at heart.”

 
As national convener, Ashworth will be raising questions at group consultations on behalf of members and feeding information back to them.

 
“There are lots of rumours going around in the workplace at the moment, which is understandable because the company has yet to give us full information on the sale and how it might affect workers,” Ashworth explained. “I urge members to be patient.”

 
Stay tuned on UNITElive for the latest as the consultation unfolds.