California Pharmacy Workers Ratify Strong Contract Agreement with CVS
". . . the hard-working members of UFCW stood together for their families and each other and secured a strong contract."
San Diego, CA – Today, members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Locals 5, 135, 324, 648, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 voted to ratify a new three-year contract with CVS Pharmacy. The agreement was reached after months of negotiations, a 3-day ULP strike in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and active participation from thousands of California pharmacists, pharmacy clerks, and technicians.
The eight UFCW Locals released the following statement:
Today, by ratifying this contract, CVS workers have secured significant wage increases for all workers, more secure staffing levels, and a more affordable healthcare plan for members who were struggling with the high cost of the company’s health plan. After countless hours at the bargaining table and a strategic strike in seven Southern California pharmacies protesting the company’s illegal actions, the hard-working members of UFCW stood together for their families and each other and secured a strong contract. This contract is a concrete and direct result of the tireless work of the member-led bargaining committee. Together, our members are fighting for a more promising future, and this contract will help to achieve that goal.
BACKGROUND
Key provisions of the agreement include:
Wage increases for all workers each year of the contract. Initial increases will be retroactive to July 7, 2024.
New longevity rates at 10 and 15 years resulting in wage increases of close to 20% over 3 years.
Elimination of 2-tier wage scale for store associates and associate Rx classifications.
Increased healthcare bonus for employees who were struggling with the high cost of the company plan.
Protection of health benefits for those employees who are in the union-managed health plan.
This contract will go into effect immediately for over 7,000 essential pharmacy workers in CVS locations across California.
###
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 represents over 12,000 workers throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties in industries including grocery, retail, pharmacy, meat processing, gaming, cannabis, and more. UFCW Local 135 is part of the 1.3 million-member UFCW International.