Many Walgreens pharmacists and other workers walk out of work as a way to protest what they say are miserable working conditions. Some employees say the harsh working condition makes it hard to fill prescriptions. Additionally, this can be unsafe for patients.
Employees also claim they face harassment or bullying from patients. Because of this, they demand change by staging a series of walkouts across the country.
Walgreens operates over 8,000 stores across the country. Employees at over 500 of the stores expressed their interest in the walkouts.
Walkouts are planned to take place October 9-11. On Monday, these walkouts start to impact many stores.
As the first day of walkouts starts some stores lock their doors and walk out. Stores that didn’t close are left to work with an emergency crew. Many stores could only operate from the drive through pharmacy and others closed early as most staff called off.
Some managers say they have gotten many calls encouraging them to participate in these walkouts. Others advise their employees to not speak to any media.
Walgreens said to CNN, “A little number of our pharmacies are facing disruptions and we apologize for any inconvenience.” Walgreens also said they are “working to return these pharmacies to operating regularly as quickly as possible,” adding that the majority of pharmacies will stay open.
Unlike other protests there is no union leader. This will cause protests to be uncoordinated. With no organizers, Employees use apps like Facebook and emails to plan walkouts.
why are Walgreens workers walking off?
In addition to work conditions being one of the reasons for the protest, employees also say they have to juggle many tasks.
A survey done by the American Pharmacists Association and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations shows, that Walgreens staff are being given demands for prescriptions, shots, and other services without proper training and staff.
Since pharmacists and support staff have seen a growth in demands understaffed crews struggle to work.
“There have been days where I worked alone or with one other technician when there are over 300 prescriptions to fill,” an employee said. He adds that this isn’t possible to complete with other tasks.
Without sufficient trained staff, tasks like administering vaccines and battling backlogged prescriptions consequently become untenable and make their jobs harder.
The survey also shows pharmacy workers feel management focuses too much on profit. With constant disruptions in their work, pharmacists can be prevented from making appropriate decisions on treatment for a specific patient. As a result, workers find themselves falling behind.
“We don’t believe that Walgreens is allowing us to give our patients safe care on a daily basis,” an organizer of the labor action told CNN.
Another one of their concerns is short-staffing. Short staffing leads workers to become overwhelmed and causes longer wait times for patients. Despite this, employees are asking the company to hire more pharmacy staff and mandate training hours.
How will this be fixed?
Walgreens stated, “We are engaged and listening to the concerns raised by some of our team members.” furthermore, they claim to be making “significant investments” in pharmacist wages and hiring bonuses. As a way to retrain/attract workers. The company acknowledges workers are overworked.
“We do understand the immense pressures felt across the US in retail pharmacy right now. We are engaged and listening to the concerns raised by some of our team members,” Walgreens said.
They are committed to making sure their pharmacy teams have the support and resources needed to continue to provide the best care to patients and take care of their well-being.
“The company is focusing on creating a sustainable, reliable work plan that can be used in stores where support may be needed so we can continue delivering the high-quality care our patients depend on,” a representative said.
By Jamarion Thomas
Sources
Washington Post: Walgreens pharmacy staff walk out, citing unsafe working conditions
CNN: Walgreens walkout: 5 things you need to know
Business Insider: Walgreens employees plan walkout this week over miserable working conditions
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