Pharmacy Daily | Guild accused of ‘anti-worker’ stance

EMPLOYEE pharmacists' union, Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA), claims the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is "anti-worker" after not publicly opposing the Federal Government's Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021.

Celebrating the Senate's rejection of four of five "regressive" provisions of the Bill, PPA President, Dr Geoff March, expressed disappointment that the Guild - which represents the interests of pharmacy owners - had not objected to the proposed laws, despite the efforts of employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"During a year of crisis and great challenge, pharmacy workers displayed incredible courage and resilience, working long hours under great stress to support their businesses and to protect the community's health," he said.

"Shamefully, the Guild failed to oppose laws which would strip away pharmacy workers' rights and entitlements.

"But of course, the responsibility does not just fall to the Guild.

"Community pharmacy employers also failed to publicly voice opposition to these regressive laws.

"The Guild has continued its anti-worker stance, highlighted by its adversarial appearance at the Work Value case, its push to reduce penalty rates, and support the Industrial Relations (IR) Bill, while feigning concern about poor wages and morale."

March noted that had the Government's Bill made it through the Senate without being watered down, it would have "stripped workers of rights and entitlements in Greenfields agreements, bargaining and part-time employment".

"Australia's pharmacists have made incredible sacrifices, often at great personal risk, to continue doing their vital work protecting the community's health through the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

"The fact they faced the biggest attack on their rights and conditions was completely unacceptable.

"The Pharmacy Industry Award was the only health professional award that was highlighted in the IR Bill, mirroring the situation we found ourselves in with the penalty rates case.

"Unfortunately, elements of the IR Bill which were passed will significantly impact casual workers in the pharmacy sector, undermining their rights and access to secure employment."