A group of pharmacists and technicians at a Walgreens store in Vancouver, Washington are looking to join the Pharmacy Guild, as reported by MedPage Today. This move marks the first instance of Walgreens employees filing to join the Pharmacy Guild and the first group in Washington state to undertake this action. The pharmacy professionals have emphasized their dedication to patient care as their primary motivation for seeking union representation. They are calling on Walgreens to not only acknowledge their right to unionize but also collaborate with them to enhance conditions for both patients and pharmacy professionals.
In a similar vein, pharmacists and technicians at another major retail chain, CVS, have already successfully voted to join the Pharmacy Guild. The Pharmacy Guild, spearheaded by co-founder Shane Jerominski, is working towards expanding its reach to various locations across the country. Despite differences in geographical locations, pharmacists and technicians share common concerns regarding their job security and patient well-being. The Pharmacy Guild has highlighted issues such as heavy workloads, including increased prescription volumes and vaccination appointments, as well as inadequate staffing as driving factors behind the unionization push.
The establishment of the Pharmacy Guild follows a series of nationwide walkouts by pharmacists and technicians at major drugstore chains in response to what they deemed as unsafe working conditions. This movement, dubbed “Pharmageddon,” gained momentum last year with protests and strikes taking place in different parts of the country. Professionals at a CVS in Las Vegas were the first to join the Pharmacy Guild, followed by counterparts at retail locations in Rhode Island, demonstrating a growing interest in union representation among pharmacy employees.
Walgreens, in response to the unionization efforts, stated that they respect their team members’ right to choose union representation. However, the company maintains that the best way to foster a positive work environment is through direct communication between team members and management. Walgreens is committed to serving communities and reimagining local healthcare through collaboration within their workforce.
Despite the initial pushback from some employers, the Pharmacy Guild remains determined to expand its membership and advocate for the rights and well-being of pharmacy professionals. With an increasing number of pharmacists and technicians expressing interest in joining the union, the movement is poised to grow and effect positive change within the industry. As the conversation surrounding unionization continues to evolve, it is evident that pharmacists and technicians are actively seeking avenues to address systemic issues and improve working conditions for themselves and their patients.
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