Bargaining resumed with your Companies on August 22. Throughout these negotiations your Union has maintained our goals of adequate staffing in the pharmacies, competitive wages for pharmacists and PICs and maintenance of medical and pension benefits.
Unfortunately, management does not share our concerns regarding adequate staffing and claim the pharmacies are not too busy and therefore it is not necessary to have more techs or pharmacy clerks available to assist the pharmacists.
We also remain apart on a fair and equitable wage increase for pharmacists and pharmacists in charge. Once again management claims Retail Food Store pharmacies cannot be compared to Drug Store pharmacies and therefore a lower wage is appropriate. Your Union does not agree and we are working diligently to close the gap. We understand your medical and pension benefits are top notch but your level of responsibility, liability, knowledge and education must also be properly compensated.
We will meet again with your Companies on September 13. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to wear your stickers. If you need additional stickers, please contact your Representative. We are also surveying all pharmacists regarding the staffing issue. We need everyone’s participation and ask you take a few minutes to discuss this issue when your Union Representative is in your store. Union Representatives will be bringing this survey to you within the next week or two.
Your Company’s pharmacy business is profitable because of you. You deserve fair wage increases and working conditions. We are at a critical point in negotiations. Your solidarity and commitment will make the difference.
Remain united and together we’ll prove, once again, Solidarity Works!