Southern California CVS and Rite Aid Workers Prepare for Strike with Training and Strike-Ready Sign-Making Sessions

LOS ANGELES —  On Oct. 16, UFCW CVS pharmacy members across Southern California will participate in picket captain meetings to prepare for an imminent Unfair Labor Practice strike. Activities include strike-ready sign-making sessions and training. They are joined by Rite Aid employees who are taking a strike vote this week.

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor or AFL-CIO, representing more than 300 labor unions and more than 800,000 employees in Los Angeles County, has already voted for a strike sanction, showing their support for the CVS workers. Additionally, numerous community organizations stand in solidarity with these workers in their fight for fair bargaining, better wages, affordable healthcare and improved working conditions.

Background

In August, UFCW Locals in California representing CVS workers filed unfair labor practice charges against CVS for unlawful surveillance of workers, retaliation for union activity, and prohibiting employees from engaging in union activity. 

Because of these ULP violations, CVS members have been prevented from getting the contract that they have bargained for and voted “YES” to authorize their bargaining committee to call for an unfair labor practice strike at any time should one become necessary. 

The UFCW CVS bargaining committee, made up of members and leaders from eight UFCW Locals representing CVS workers across California, has been in negotiations with the company since May, trying to reach a tentative contract agreement that gives workers fair wages, safe staffing levels, and affordable health insurance.

Throughout contract negotiations, hundreds of CVS workers, customers, and union members from across the country have taken action by holding rallies, gathering petition signatures, and calling on the company to bargain in good faith and reach a fair and reasonable contract agreement with its workers.

The average CVS clerk makes less than $20 an hour and can’t afford to buy insurance from CVS, a health insurance company. Meanwhile, CVS is one of the most profitable healthcare companies in the country, and made a profit of $11 billion in 2023, and paid its CEO Karen Lynch over $21 million last year. Pharmacy Technicians, who are required to complete an extensive CVS Pharmacy Technician Training Program as well as satisfy all registration, licensing and state certification requirements, currently make only $24.90 an hour after five years.