Employees at Walgreens, one of the largest drugstore chains in the US, are staging walkouts to protest what they describe as unsafe working conditions that compromise customer health.
Scheduled between October 9-11, the action has been organized by pharmacy staff including pharmacists, technicians, and support staff. The action follows similar protests at CVS stores in Kansas City.
Walgreens employees cite unrealistic expectations for prescription filling and vaccinations from corporate management as the main issues. They argue that the company's staffing levels are inadequate, leading to delays and customer dissatisfaction.
Despite the company's claim of making $265 million in incremental investments in its pharmacy team, employees say they are still overworked and under-supported.
The planned walkouts are part of a larger movement some are calling "pharmageddon", highlighting the chronic issues of understaffing, low pay, and high quotas in the pharmacy sector, exacerbated by the pandemic.
Walgreens is part of NYSE-listed Walgreens Alliance Boots Inc. In early trade, the stock was trading sideways at $21.98.