A CVS Omnicare pharmacy in Las Vegas has become the first to join a new national pharmacy union, marking a significant milestone for organizers aiming to assist thousands of U.S. pharmacy workers in addressing what they consider to be unsafe working conditions.
CVS Omnicare Pharmacy Members Winning Union Election
Almost 30 pharmacy staff members at the Las Vegas branch of CVS's Omnicare who are responsible for filling prescriptions for elderly and other vulnerable patients at long-term care facilities throughout Nevada won their union election on Thursday by an overwhelming margin of 87% to 13%, according to a press release from the guild.
The workers have now become members of the Pharmacy Guild, which will advocate for them in labor negotiations with CVS. Shane Jerominski, a community pharmacist and co-founder of the Pharmacy Guild, expressed determination to secure a top-notch contract for these workers who have placed their trust in the union, describing it as historic and decisive.
The Pharmacy Guild's Initiatives
Jerominski and other organizers who led a nationwide walkout of pharmacy staff collaborated with IAM Healthcare, a union representing numerous healthcare professionals, to establish the Pharmacy Guild in November. The work stoppage, dubbed "Pharmageddon," took place in late October and involved major drugstore chains such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, which garnered significant media coverage, highlighting the extent of workers' concerns.
The Mounting Challenges of Retail Pharmacies
Like the walkout initiative, the Pharmacy Guild seeks to assist pharmacy staff in addressing what many employees perceive as unsafe staffing levels and mounting workloads across the industry, which pose risks to employees and patients. The guild also advocates for legislative and regulatory reforms to establish elevated standards of practice in pharmacies aimed at safeguarding patients.
The unionization represents the culmination of years of mounting dissatisfaction among retail pharmacy staff who frequently contend with understaffed teams and escalating work demands set by corporate management. The challenges intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, with additional responsibilities such as testing and vaccination further straining pharmacists and technicians.
CVS Health Standing for Employees' Right to Unionize
A CVS Health spokesperson acknowledged the decision of Omnicare Las Vegas workers to opt for union representation, emphasizing the company's respect for its employees' right to unionize. The company also pledged to work closely and collaboratively with its employees to address their present and future concerns and foster a positive and rewarding work environment.
Omnicare's Staffing and Compensation Challenges
Omnicare, acquired by CVS in 2015, differs from most of the chain's nearly 10,000 public-facing pharmacies. Despite being less visible, Omnicare operates pharmacies in 49 states, per CVS's website. However, Omnicare, like other pharmacies, faces common issues such as staffing levels and low starting pay for technicians, according to Jerominski.
Jerominski noted that the issues raised by Omnicare employees are not unique to the company, citing similar problems being voiced by pharmacy workers nationwide, spanning across all major chains. Jerominski emphasized that there's a limit to how long employees can rely on company support. The walkouts occurred because workers were determined to obtain the assistance they demanded.
The Pharmacy Guild will now focus on negotiating a union contract with CVS to address the concerns of Omnicare workers in Las Vegas. Jerominski mentioned that these employees seek consistent work schedules that ensure pharmacy technicians receive 40 work hours per week throughout the year.
The Pharmacy Guild is witnessing momentum growing in other regions as well. According to Jerominski, pharmacy staff at two retail stores in Rhode Island have officially filed for unionization with the guild.
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