Pharmacy workers and supporters rallied Tuesday in West Hollywood to demand a fair contract. The action came several months into contract negotiations between the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and major grocery chains.
The previous contract ended back in March.
Workers are calling for higher wages, guaranteed health coverage for part time workers, and sufficient staffing at Albertsons, Vons, Ralphs, and Pavilions locations.
Jessica Browley says long hours working as a pharmacist, coupled with an overwhelming workload, has taken its toll.
"I work by myself for four hours everyday Monday through Friday and on weekends I work completely alone," Browley said.
She said having no backup can be stressful.
"So I'm doing all this ... sometimes multitasking ... and being distracted ... going to a million places at once and I'm scared I'm going to make a mistake," Browley said, "and I know my colleagues feel the same."
Pharmacist are standing up and standing together to show the company’s that they are worth more!
— UFCW770 (@UFCW770) June 28, 2022
•Better staffing
•Increased wages
•Guaranteed hours for part-time
A better contract that reflect these needs are essential for Pharmacists & their patients! #NowItsOurShot#1u pic.twitter.com/xgFx44F9D4
Contract negotiations are set to resume in a couple of weeks.
According to the UCFW 770 website, the union represents 31,000 member in "healthcare, retail health, grocery, packing and cannabis" industries.
We've reached out Kroger and Albertsons and will update this story if we get a response.
