LLOYDS Pharmacy Clinical Homecare has launched an attack on its staff’s sick pay, overtime rates and other conditions, UNISON claims today (Tuesday).

Hundreds of staff at the firm’s warehouses and offices in Harlow and Derby face losing overtime rates and a move to a six-day working week, which could leave some of them around £2,000 a year worse off, says UNISON.

Lloyds is part of the US-based McKesson Corporation, which posted an operating profit of $2.5bn last year, and supplies medical and pharmaceutical services to the NHS and other healthcare providers.

The firm wants to strip staff of sick pay for the first three days they’re off ill, which UNISON warns will encourage staff to come into work and infect others when they should be staying at home.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said: “It beggars belief that a successful multinational company is trying to squeeze extra cash out of its staff in Harlow and Derby while they’re working so hard through the pandemic.

“As the rest of the country is waking up to how important sick pay rates are in keeping individual staff and their colleagues safe, it’s hugely disappointing that Lloyds is taking this backwards step.

“Many of these workers rely on overtime to make ends meet. How can Lloyds expect its staff to keep going?

“We urge Lloyds to think again and drop this indefensible attack on its staff’s working conditions.”

YH has contacted the press office at McKesson and will publish a response should we receive one.