NPhA-LIUNA Launches Phed Up Pharmacists Tour
April 24, 2024 - CLDCFollow along on linktree, Instagram and X @PhedUpPharms and YouTube @PhedUpPharmacists
April 18, 2024 - The National Pharmacists Association-Laborers’ International Union of North America, (NPhA-LIUNA), the union representing nearly 900 pharmacists employed by Walgreens in Chicagoland will be demonstrating at 46 Walgreens stores across the Chicago area beginning on April 18, demanding better pay and working conditions for Walgreens pharmacists.
Pharmacists have been working without a contract for the past 9 months. In seven years, Walgreens pharmacists have only received a 2% wage increase – despite inflation driving up costs 25%. Walgreens pharmacists’ standard of living is less now than it was seven years ago. While pharmacists have seen their actual wages erode, Walgreens’ CEO to worker pay ratio is 407 to 1.[1] Pharmacists are a key but unacknowledged profit driver. In 2023, 74% of Walgreens’ sales came from pharmacy and 26% came from retail.[2]
Since the onset of the COVID pandemic pharmacists have been subject to inconsistent scheduling, and are asked to provide more patient services, with no additional staff support.
“Despite the fact that we are essential workers that helped this country come out of the COVID crisis, Walgreens continues to exploit us. We should be given a fair wage increase that reflects our contributions to the company. We also want more consistent and reliable scheduling, and more staff support with proper training,” says Joe Pignataro, NPhA-LIUNA President and full-time Walgreens’ pharmacist.
The Phed Up Pharmacists tour will be demonstrating at 2 to 3 Walgreens stores every weekday leading up to a demonstration and press conference at Walgreens HQ on May 10th.
[1] Walgreens Boots Alliance 2024 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, accessed 4/12/2024. https://investor.walgreensbootsalliance.com/static-files/28a43687-c49f-49e3-8ecc-59ba212be73e
[2] Walgreens Boots Alliance 2023 Annual Report, accessed 4/11/2024. https://investor.walgreensbootsalliance.com/static-files/43e9965c-4947-4673-aa3f-201a78a3d202
Peoples World https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/pharmacy-workers-stand-up-and-fight-back-against-corporate-greed/
Chicago Tribune - https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/18/walgreens-pharmacists-union-demonstrations-chicago/
Crains Chicago - https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/walgreens-pharmacists-start-protest-around-chicago