Photo: UFCW 768 / Courtesy
Workers of the CVS pharmacy company gathered this Tuesday in front of one of its stores in Temple City to ask for work improvements, such as health coverage, security in stores and the necessary personnel during working hours. .
Rogelio Madrigal, who has worked in a CVS store in San Pedro, by 15 years, said that with the pandemic has noted that the number of incidents in stores that put employees and customers at risk have increased.
The also supervisor of the store where he works, said that almost daily there are robberies but when superiors are notified, they do not report the incidents to the authorities.
“It is something that is becoming normal and we do not want that especially e n a pharmacy where people go for their health, ”said Madrigal. “Sometimes we see those who steal, sometimes customers tell us but we can’t do anything.”
He added that another problem they face is a lack of staff. He said that it is common to see only two employees in the place, which makes it difficult to serve customers.
“Especially at night that we have to close the boxes and there are no personnel to attend, there is only one in the box and the other is cleaning the store ”, he explained.
Amelia Ponce, a pharmacist for eight years in a CVS store in the San Fernando Valley, said Amelia Ponce faced a similar situation.
She said that she worries when clients arrive with little patience and get upset if they are not seen soon. But that is impossible when there is not enough staff.
“One day a customer grabbed a can of soda and threw it at me. manager, ”Ponce said. “We are concerned about our safety, that one day someone will arrive armed.”
He said that the pharmacy section is not only administering the covid vaccine – 19 if they are not also applying the doses to protect themselves from influenza and that when people arrive, they He must leave his position empty to administer the vaccines.
“It is something very stressful more when there is a large line of people waiting ”, He indicated.
Both Madrigal and Ponce assured that, despite being vaccinated, they fear for their safety, especially when the queue in the pharmacy is long and they do not know if all customers are vaccinated.
The employees also asked yesterday to increase the staff since they make them work up to six or seven days a week and train them to do the work of several people.
In addition, they assured that the medical insurance they have is very expensive and does not cover enough. They wondered if they should look for one on their part that is more affordable or if CVS should be more supportive of this benefit.
Lack of security is worrying
The workers remembered the employee of the Rite Aid pharmacy, Miguel Núñez Peñaloza, who was assassinated on 15 July at the Glassell Park Store , northeast of Los Angeles, when he tried to prevent a robbery.
Yesterday many workers expressed fear of having to face something similar. They added that recently they also saw an increase in robberies at 7-Eleven stores.
Given this, Ponce said that his store does not count with security officer.
CVS workers, who are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union ( UFCW) Local 770, have been in contract negotiations with the company since May.
The employees require the corporation to hire professional security guards at all stores, and to be present while the stores are open.
Employees assured that currently with the increase in covid cases – 19 and the need to get vaccinated, employees face workloads that include vaccinations and covid tests – 19 as well as the demand for medicines re lated. Underserved stores cause customers to have to wait in long lines when they need to pay for their medications.
Workers reported presenting Requests at the bargaining table for CVS to make changes but indicated that the company has not come up with a fair contract proposal that includes better security for stores and workers, more hours and staff, better wages, and a family health plan accessible to employees. worker pockets.
The Local 770 represents approximately 2, 600 employees who work in CVS pharmacies in Southern California.
Real America News attempted to obtain a comment from CVS regarding this issue but at press time there was no response.