CVS workers reach tentative deal agreement after weekend strike

LOS ANGELES — The unions representing more than 7,000 CVS workers in Southern California have reached a tentative agreement on a deal after workers went on strike over the weekend demanding better pay, staffing, and more affordable healthcare.

“Today proves that when workers fight, we triumph,” the United Food and Commercial Workers bargaining committee said in a press release. “We look forward to discussing the details of this agreement with our co-workers before we make our voices heard during the voting procedure.”

The walkout, which affected four stores in Los Angeles and three in Orange County, began Friday morning and continued through the weekend. The union filed unfair labor habit charges against the business over using intimidation tactics and preventing workers from speaking to their union representatives.

A bargaining session was scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the details of a deal that expired in June.

Union members will now have an chance to review and vote on the deal that the committee “unanimously” recommends for approval.

Workers have said that they cannot afford the expense of the insurance CVS offers. They also declare stores are understaffed to handle the extra demands of the flu period, and locked up items on shelves further exacerbates the staffing shortage.

The business said it is “pleased” to have reached a tentative agreement.

“We’re proud of our long-standing, productive connection with the UFCW and aspiration to finalize a recent agreement soon,” CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault said in an emailed statement.

Last Friday, thousands of Rite Aid pharmacy workers in the Los Angeles area also represented by UFCW voted to authorize a strike after two months with an expired deal. The union alleged the business has committed unfair labor practices such as offering incentives to employees not to sign petitions and bargaining directly with employees.

More than 2,400 Kaiser mental health workers walked off the job Monday in an open-ended strike over increased workloads and staffing shortages that their union said have created a “substandard” structure of worry. Picket lines went up outside Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.