Organizers of a recent retail pharmacy walkout are launching a nationwide effort to unite employees, creating a potential push towards the widespread unionization of thousands of pharmacists and technicians in the United States. A new union partnership with IAM Healthcare aims to support employees in organizing to combat what’s been labeled as dangerous work conditions across the industry. These issues are becoming more prevalent at significant drugstore chains such as Walgreens and CVS. However, most pharmacists and technicians at these stores do not currently have union representation. This is in stark contrast to workers at a small number of grocery retailers, including Kroger.
In response to these concerns, a small group of employees and supporters collectively picketed outside the corporate headquarters of Walgreens, aiming to spotlight the walkout. This took place in Deerfield, Illinois, on November 1, 2023.
The significant increase in labor actions by retail pharmacy staff in recent times has led to the creation of “The Pharmacy Guild,” a substantial push towards unionization in the industry. According to the organizers, the intent is to raise standards to protect patients and confront issues relating to unsafe staffing levels. As part of this effort, there will also be a focus on legislative and regulatory change.
More than just a formality, the new partnership with IAM Healthcare opens the door for pharmacy staff members interested in unionizing, allowing them to fill out a public form on a new dedicated website. Both IAM Healthcare and the walkout organizers will then mobilize unionization initiatives in key areas or districts hoping to generate significant support.
The Pharmacy Guild seeks to reach 100,000 pharmacists and technicians. Their ambitious target is to unionize 90% of the pharmacists working for Walgreens and CVS within the next five years.
The efforts to unionize come on the heels of a recent walkout and earlier work stoppages by Walgreens and CVS employees. Organizers plan to shift away from walkouts and focus on organizing as their method to push for change. They are aiming to form a powerful social movement among pharmacy professionals with the heavy backing of a national union and substantial social media presence.
This movement already has a significant online following on platforms such as The Accidental Pharmacist, RxComedy, and #PizzaIsNotWorking, with an immense collective reach totaling around 300,000 followers. These platforms will champion The Pharmacy Guild and provide continuous updates on the progress of the unionization effort.
