California CVS Workers End ULP Strike, Rite Aid Workers Authorize Strike

CVS employees of UFCW Local 770 hold up picket signs. Source: UFCW Local 770

CVS workers at 7 different locations across Southern California in UFCW Locals 324 and 770 went on ULP strike for three days, from Friday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 20th. CVS workers are fighting for a fair contract. In a video posted by UFCW Local 770 on X, a picketing CVS worker named Morgan stated simply: “[CVS] made 11 billion dollars, and they want to give us a 32 cent raise." 

Members went back to work on Monday, Oct. 21st, but their fight for a fair contract continues. 

Meanwhile, 3,500 Rite Aid workers in California have voted to authorize a ULP strike. The bargaining team is representing UFCW members at Rite Aid across several California locals, including UFCW Locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, 1442, and 8GS. 

Contract talks broke down over major issues including wages, guaranteed hours, staffing, and sick leave. Read the latest bargaining update here. 

By bargaining together, these UFCW locals are showing the power that workers have when they stand united against the company. This is what we mean when we talk about bargaining big — taking on major corporations with the united power of workers. 

Bargaining Big, also known as Coordinated Bargaining or lining up contract expiration dates so more workers can face their employers with a united front–is what every worker should strive for.

Bargaining together is how workers build power. For example, if all the workers at Kroger and Albertsons bargained together, we would have 700,000 workers taking on the big grocers at once. This would be the single largest group of workers in America bargaining at one time.

We salute the CVS and Rite Aid workers for leading the way and showing how it’s done!