Pharmacy Workers Stage: In an unexpected turn of events, employees at CVS Health Corp and Walgreens Boots Alliance’s U.S. pharmacies have initiated a three-day walkout, aiming to draw attention to pressing issues regarding their working conditions and the need for increased staffing. This walkout, amusingly dubbed “Pharmageddon” on social media, has caused temporary closures in some New York City stores.
Shane Jerominski, a former Walgreens pharmacist and one of the organizers of the walkout, estimated that as many as 5,000 pharmacy workers would be participating over the course of three days. However, given the lack of a union, it’s been somewhat challenging to determine the exact number of affected stores and participating staff.
One of the major grievances that led to this action is the severe understaffing in these pharmacies. Employees are not only tasked with filling prescriptions but also handling appointments and walk-ins for immunizations, which has become overwhelming.
This isn’t the first time pharmacy workers have taken action to highlight their concerns. In September, CVS store staff in Kansas City held a two-day strike, and Walgreens store employees followed suit earlier this month.
The walkout has garnered support from pharmacy staff in New York and Pennsylvania, including workers at some of Walgreens’ Duane Reade stores in New York. Additionally, some pharmacists are planning to hold rallies outside CVS’ headquarters in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and at Walgreens in Deerfield, Illinois, as indicated by social media posts.
The organizers are advocating for better pay and more consistent hours for technicians. These individuals play a crucial role in locating, dispensing, packing, and labeling prescribed medication for patients under the supervision of pharmacists.
Also Read: Walgreens Workers Take a Stand: Inside the Pharmacy Walkout Plans
One of the root causes of this issue is the cost-cutting measures implemented by major pharmacy companies following industry consolidation. This has resulted in an insufficient number of pharmacists and technicians at stores, leading to an overburdened staff.
The global pandemic further exacerbated the situation, causing a surge in workloads and heightened stress levels among staff. Turnover rates, which were already high, have skyrocketed.
This walkout is indicative of a new labor movement where employees are taking matters into their own hands, even without traditional union backing. While these walkouts are legally allowed, they come with risks as the staff lacks the conventional union support during strikes.
CVS and Walgreens have responded to the concerns raised by their employees. CVS mentioned that its leaders are directly addressing these issues through continuous dialogue with pharmacists. Walgreens stated that they are focusing on recruiting, retaining, and rewarding pharmacy staff while centralizing some operations to reduce pharmacists’ workloads.
Walgreens recently opened its 11th micro-fulfillment center, centralized units that handle prescription filling, allowing their staff more time to engage with customers and offer additional health-related products and services.
This walkout is part of a broader trend of labor unrest across various industries. It joins the ranks of strikes by autoworkers, writers, actors, and the recent record-breaking medical worker walkout by Kaiser Permanente employees. This trend underscores the urgency of addressing employees’ concerns and enhancing working conditions in a rapidly changing labor landscape.