Frustrated by what they perceive as harsh working conditions that compromise their ability to safely fill prescriptions, these workers are taking a bold step to demand change.
In a united stand for better workplace working conditions and patient safety, pharmacy employees from two of the nation’s largest drugstore chains are gearing up for a series of walkouts.Their actions, scheduled for October 9-11, involve pharmacists, technicians, and support staff.
Nationwide Protests Emerge Better Quality Working Conditions
Pharmacy employees from select Walgreens stores are set to participate in this unprecedented protest. While some plan to walk out for just one day, others are prepared to shutter their pharmacies for the entire three-day period. The rallying cry for change has resonated with employees from over 500 Walgreens stores across the United States, although not all may ultimately participate.
The catalyst for this protest lies in the burdensome prescription and vaccination expectations imposed on pharmacists by corporate management. These demands, according to organizers, have created a challenging working environment, leading to delayed service and irate customers.
Walgreens has responded, stating that they have increased training for new pharmacists and made significant investments in the pharmacy team. The company has also created dedicated positions to handle inventory and administrative tasks for pharmacists. However, employee concerns persist, with some pharmacists indicating their expectations that their pharmacies will close during the walkout period.
An Industry-Wide Struggle Better Quality Working Conditions
The challenges faced by pharmacy workers extend beyond Walgreens. CVS pharmacy employees have also voiced their discontent, particularly in the Kansas City area. Pharmacists and technicians have reported severe understaffing, low pay, high vaccination quotas, inadequate break times, managerial mistreatment, and even incidents involving violent customers.
Inspired by successful labor strikes in various industries across the nation, these pharmacy workers are saying “enough is enough.” Their actions are part of a growing movement being dubbed “pharmageddon,” as employees seek to bring attention to the dire conditions they face.
In September, CVS pharmacists staged walkouts that affected up to 22 pharmacies over two weeks in the Kansas City region. This protest led to meetings with CVS executives who promised additional support and higher overtime pay. While these assurances were met with some skepticism, further discussions are scheduled for October 15.
The key demand from pharmacists is not extravagant raises or additional vacation days. Instead, they are calling for increased staffing and support to effectively carry out their responsibilities and ensure patient well-being.
A Cry for Patient Safety
One important aspect to consider is the potential impact of these walkouts on patient care. Even a single day without access to necessary medications could have severe consequences for patients’ health. Pharmacists stress that their objective is not to disrupt patient care but to ensure that they can provide timely and safe prescriptions.
Amanda Applegate from the Kansas Pharmacists Association underscores the urgency of the situation. She emphasizes that pharmacists are not seeking extensive perks but rather the necessary assistance to fulfill their roles effectively.
A Wider Movement
The pharmaceutical industry is not the only one grappling with labor disputes. Just recently, over 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers embarked on a strike, citing similar issues. This action marked the largest healthcare worker strike in U.S. history. These events underscore the growing recognition among workers that their concerns deserve attention and action.
While the pharmacy workers at CVS and Walgreens are not currently represented by unions, they have been coordinating their efforts independently. However, there are indications that employees from both chains have been in communication with union groups.
Pharmacy workers across the nation are making it clear that the time for change has arrived. While the spark may have ignited in Kansas City, the walkouts serve as a collective expression of discontent that resonates far beyond any single city’s boundaries. In the pursuit of safer working conditions and improved patient care, pharmacists, technicians, and support staff are boldly challenging the status quo, and their voices are growing louder with each passing day.
