LOS ANGELES — Employees at seven CVS pharmacy locations in Southern California have initiated a strike demanding improved wages and health care benefits, as well as expressing their dissatisfaction with what they claim to be insincere contract negotiations by the corporate management.
The strike commenced early Friday morning and extended through the weekend, impacting four Los Angeles stores and three in Orange County. On Saturday, picketers outside a Los Angeles store rallied customers, encouraging them not to cross the picket lines.
Melissa Acosta, a pharmacy technician and member of the contract bargaining committee, accused the company of creating an intimidating atmosphere, alleging that they monitor workers and obstruct their communication with union representatives.
Despite the walkout, the affected CVS locations remained operational, with managers and nonunion workers filling in. Strikers have planned to persist with their demonstrations until negotiations resume on Wednesday. The strike was sanctioned by a vote from two local United Food and Commercial Workers unions on September 29, with over 90% support from members.
“We’re disheartened that our UFCW member colleagues have decided to strike at a few select locations in the Los Angeles area,” said a spokesperson for CVS, Amy Thibault, in a statement.
Thibault noted that the company has made headway in finalizing a contract, having reached “tentative agreements” to enhance wages and boost the company’s contributions to health insurance.
Acosta shared her struggles with affording the health care plan CVS provides, stating that she has instead opted for the state-run health program, Covered California. She remarked, “In my nine years of working with CVS, I’ve never been able to afford their health care plan.”
Like many pharmacy chains nationwide, CVS has been grappling with rising costs and competition from online retailers. Recently, CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch stepped down after a significant drop in stock prices, and the company is nearing the completion of a plan to close 900 stores.
The union reports that CVS pharmacy technicians, who undertake rigorous training and licensing processes, currently earn $24.90 per hour after five years of employment.
Carlos Alfaro, another technician participating in the strike, pointed out that the stores are experiencing a staffing shortage just as flu season approaches. “We have to call (patients) constantly to get flu shots, push vaccines,” he explained. “This adds a lot of extra work on top of our regular medication fulfillment duties.”
In response to rising theft, many stores have increasingly placed items under lock and key, requiring customers to request assistance. Workers say this exacerbates the issues related to inadequate staffing.
“There are so many customers that don’t get help and have to constantly wait to have something unlocked,” Acosta stated, emphasizing that it’s not due to lack of willingness to help but rather a result of insufficient staffing provided by the company to ensure quality customer service.
Additionally, the workers are calling for improved security measures in stores, among other requests.
