Pharmacy Workers Plan ‘Pharmageddon’ Walkout for Better Working Conditions

Workers from CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are set to participate in another walkout starting Monday, as they continue to advocate for better working conditions. Dubbed “pharmageddon,” the protest aims to address concerns such as guaranteed hours, better pay for technicians, and increased input from pharmacists and pharmacy managers in scheduling. The workers hope that these changes will lead to better-staffed stores, improved work-life balance, and reduced errors that could affect patient safety. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of participants, a poll on social media showed overwhelming support for the walkout. In addition to calling out sick, protests are being organized in front of CVS and Walgreens headquarters to raise visibility for the movement. The issue of understaffing has resulted in pharmacies falling behind on filling prescriptions, which has caused delays in patients receiving their medication. The workers argue that understaffing also increases the risk of errors, which could have grave consequences in their line of work. The prioritization of vaccine appointments further exacerbates the problem. CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have responded with statements emphasizing their commitment to safe and supportive work environments, but the workers are calling for more concrete actions to address their concerns.