CVS workers mobilize for a fair contract

In late August, a diverse group of over 200 United Food and Commercial Workers (“UFCW”) members and supporters joined a vibrant, morning rally targeting corporate giant CVS Health. The rally, held at a CVS store in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, saw the UFCW members raising demands around pay, staffing, and their own healthcare.

The background includes the $8.3 billion in profits CVS Health raked in during 2023. A 100% increase from the year before.

Despite the company’s wealth, workers aren’t paid enough to buy a company healthcare policy, instead relying on publicly funded healthcare plans. Meanwhile, Karen Lynch, President and CEO of CVS counted over $21 million in compensation while the average clerk for the company makes less than $20 an hour.

Another key issue being raised by the workers are their own  safety concerns due to critical understaffing. One worker, Angela B.,was assaulted at work last year while working a night shift alone. This is an increasingly common occurrence at sparsely staffed locations. She “call[ed]on CVS to address safety concerns at all CVS locations!”

Workers at the 4030 Western store have been without a contract for two months and counting. In response to CVS’s trade-marked slogan, “bringing our heart to every moment of your health”, rally participants outside the store chanted “CVS has no heart!”. The diversely represented rally was followed by a march into the store by activists. Once inside, a union delegation handed management a petition to heed the union’s demands and called on CVS to bargain in good faith.

With over 9,000 U.S. locations in all 50 states, along with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, CVS is positioning itself to be an increasingly heartless profiteer in healthcare. It will take working class people organizing on both sides of the counter to make health, safety, and economic security a priority in our communities.

Featured Image credit: Wrapped-Within-Ink; modified by Tempest.

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