Walgreens pharmacists stage walkout across nation

Walgreens pharmacy walkout overview: 

• Who: Pharmacy workers at Walgreens locations across the country staged a walkout earlier this week. 
• Why: Pharmacy workers argue they are too understaffed to safely and properly perform their job duties due to an increased demand for services in the retail pharmacy industry.
• Where: The Walgreens walkout impacted certain locations nationwide. 

Hundreds of pharmacists at several Walgreens locations across the country staged a walkout from Monday to Wednesday this week in protest of what they argue are harsh work conditions. 

The walkout caused certain Walgreens locations to close, while others remained open but were critically understaffed, CNN reports. 

The protest reportedly came only two weeks after dozens of pharmacy workers at Kansas City CVS locations walked off the job, prompting at least 22 pharmacy closures in the area over a period of two weeks. 

Walgreens pharmacy workers argue they are too understaffed to be able to do their jobs safely and properly due to an increased demand for prescriptions, shots and other services, CNN reports. 

Walgreens workers organized walkout without help of organizing body, union leader

Walgreens pharmacy workers who participated in the walkout organized the movement on their own because they do not have a central organizing body or union leader to help coordinate or publicly address it, CNN reports. 

Walgreens responded to the walkout by acknowledging it understands the pressure the retail pharmacy is under across the United States and vowed to be engaged and listen to the concerns of its pharmacist workers, according to CNN. 

One reason the retail pharmacy industry is experiencing increased demand is due to companies like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Amazon reportedly encouraging customers to seek care for non-emergency situations at their locations. 

Consumers appear to be following the guidance, according to Wolters Kluwer’s Pharmacy Next Survey, which found more than 80% of respondents trust nurses, pharmacists or a nurse practitioner to diagnose and prescribe medicine to treat minor illnesses, CNN reports. 

Walgreens faced an employment lawsuit in 2022 when a group of former employees argued the company purposely gave them confusing information about their right to insurance continuation under the federal COBRA law. 

Were you affected by the Walgreens walkout? Let us know in the comments. 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Hollywood writers vote to ratify 3-year contract, formally ending strike
• Fired Northwestern football coach files defamation, breach of contract lawsuit seeking $130M
• EEOC hits McDonald’s with lawsuit over manager’s rape threats
• Guess settles sexual harassment suit for $30M