MULTIBILLION-POUND pharmaceutical firm Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare has “launched an attack” on staff sick pay, overtime rates and other conditions, Unison has said.

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, Unison said.

Lloyds is part of the US-based McKesson Corporation, which posted an operating profit of $2.5 billion (£1.8bn) last year.

It supplies medical and pharmaceutical services to the NHS and other healthcare providers.

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.

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

The company was approached for comment.