CVS Workers from Seven California Stores Go on Strike

CVS pharmacy workers from seven locations in California initiated a strike on Friday, potentially joined by Rite Aid associates in the near future. This action follows unfair labor charges filed against CVS in August, which allege unlawful surveillance of employees, retaliation for union activities, and restrictions on workers engaging in union actions.

The striking workers are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770 in Southern California. This union authorized the strike in September as negotiations for a new contract with the Woonsocket, R.I.-based retailer have been ongoing since May.

In response to the strike, CVS stated that their stores will remain open and expressed disappointment at the union’s decision to strike. “We’ve had more than a dozen good faith negotiating sessions with the UFCW over the last several months, including six since the contract expired in June,” a CVS representative said in an emailed statement to Supermarket News. The company also noted that progress had been made toward finalizing a contract, including tentative agreements that would raise pay rates for store associates and increase CVS Health’s contributions toward health insurance costs.

As negotiations continue, Rite Aid workers are also conducting strike-authorization votes, which could lead to a larger strike involving more pharmacy employees in California. Currently, the average CVS pharmacy worker earns less than $20 an hour, making it difficult for many to afford the company’s health insurance plans. Pharmacy technicians typically earn $24.90 per hour after five years of service.

The strike reflects growing tensions among pharmacy workers nationwide over understaffing issues. Earlier this year, a group of 10 pharmacists and technicians at a Walgreens store in Vancouver, Wash., petitioned to join the Pharmacy Guild, a new union aimed at organizing pharmacy workers across the country. This marked a significant step as it was the first time Walgreens employees sought to unionize through the National Labor Relations Board.

Concerns about understaffing have led to previous walkouts at Walgreens locations in Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, and Oregon, prompting some stores to close or operate on limited hours. To address similar issues, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy implemented new regulations effective May 1, requiring pharmacies to maintain adequate staffing levels, provide uninterrupted 30-minute breaks for employees working six hours or more, and limit daily shifts to a maximum of 13 hours with at least eight hours off between shifts.