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Walgreens pharmacy workers walk out over unsafe conditions
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-employment-news/walgreens-pharmacy-workers-walk-out-over-unsafe-conditions
By Nithya Bose in US Employment News, posted October 10, 2023
Thousands of Walgreens pharmacy employees across the US have begun strikes over poor working conditions that put both staff and patients at risk.
The walkout on Monday, October 9, which is set to continue through Wednesday, could impact hundreds of Walgreens stores.
It remains uncertain whether any of the pharmacies have ceased their operations.
Read More: Kaiser Permanente Workers Called Off The Historic Strike
Pharmacists, technicians, and support staff are protesting against increased demands placed on understaffed teams.
They are grappling with the challenging task of administering vaccines while simultaneously managing a backlog of hundreds of prescriptions.
These have become untenable and hamper their ability to perform their duties responsibly.
An organizer said: “When you’re a pharmacist, a missed letter or a number that’s wrong in a prescription could kill somebody.”
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Walgreens spokesman Fraser Engerman said the firm recognizes the challenges in recent years, referring to the period as "unprecedented" and "a very challenging time."
He said: “We also understand the immense pressures felt across the U.S. in retail pharmacy right now.”
The striking staff demands include hiring more pharmacy staff, establishing mandatory training hours, and providing transparency in allocating payroll hours to stores.
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They also seek advance notice when staff reductions are planned, or positions become available.
This collective action takes inspiration from a recent strike by pharmacy employees at CVS locations in Kansas City.
Like their CVS counterparts, Walgreens employees are not unionized, so had to rally together on a pharmacy staff subreddit to organize and publicize the strike action.
Both companies face the challenge of hiring pharmacists and technicians who are reluctant to work in high-stress environments with inadequate support.
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