Labor talks set to resume between CVS, striking workers

The union representing CVS pharmacy clerks and technicians who picketed outside seven stores over the weekend said today the first wave of its strike has come to an end, with another bargaining session scheduled for Wednesday.

``Despite the fact that our members can't afford to go without a paycheck, these workers took a huge sacrifice this weekend to protest CVS' numerous illegal unfair labor practices that are making it even harder for them to negotiate for the contract that they need to survive,'' United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 President Kathy Finn said in a statement Monday morning. ``We sincerely hope that CVS' new CEO David Joyner will reverse the disrespect workers have been feeling at work and in negotiations, and sit down with us and bargain in good faith to give workers the wages, healthcare, and safer stores they and their customers deserve.''

CVS officials have insisted they are negotiating in good faith and have already reached tentative deals with the union on several key issues.

CVS Pharmacy workers represented by UFCW Local 770 declared a strike at 7 a.m. Friday and began picketing. The union represents nearly 7,000 CVS workers, and its members last month voted to authorize a strike.

For three days, workers picketed at stores located at:

-- 1701 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles;

-- 4707 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles;

-- 1843 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles;

-- 5985 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles;

-- 3401 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos;

-- 270 W Lincoln Ave., Anaheim; and

-- 7065 La Palma Ave., Buena Park.

CVS officials told City News Service that the stores remained open and continued to serve customers and patients during the picketing.

``We're disappointed that our UFCW member colleagues have gone on strike at seven locations in the Los Angeles area. We've had more than a dozen good faith negotiating sessions with the UFCW over the last several months, including six since the contract expired in June,'' the company said in a statement.

``Over the course of these discussions, we've made progress on finalizing a contract and have already reached tentative agreements that will increase the rate of pay for store associates, with additional increases for colleagues with 5+ years of service and colleagues with 10+ years of service. In addition, we've agreed not to reduce any benefit they currently have and offered to increase the amount of money CVS Health contributes toward the cost of health insurance for those enrolled in company-sponsored health insurance.

``There's more to do, but we're committed to working together. We look forward to reconvening with UFCW to continue negotiations and hope to finalize an agreement soon.''

Union leaders said they were protesting what they call unlawful activities that have interfered with bargaining and prevented employees from reaching a fair deal. UFCW officials allege CVS has engaged in illegal surveillance of workers, retaliation for union activities and prohibiting workers from engaging in union activities. The allegations came amid continuing labor talks for a new contract to replace one that expired in June.

According to the union, the average CVS clerk makes less than $20 an hour and can't afford to buy insurance from CVS, a health insurance company. Pharmacy technicians, who are required to complete an extensive CVS Pharmacy Technician Training Program as well as satisfy all registration, licensing and state certification requirements, currently make only $24.90 an hour after five years, union officials said.

Roughly 3,500 Rite Aid workers in California have also voted to authorize a strike, and they could soon form their own picket lines if negotiations fail to produce a new contract.