On April 1, hundreds of supporters demonstrated in front of the Rite Aid drugstore in San Pedro and dozens of others around the country to protest the company’s eroding labor policies that hurt working families.
The protest helped launch a “pinpoint’ boycott of two Rite Aid stores in San Pedro. Last year these two stores were patronized by union families who filled 17,000 prescriptions worth almost $2 million. The boycott is limited – for now – to the two San Pedro stores, and customers are being referred to other UFCW union pharmacies in the community. Customers will resume their business at the San Pedro Rite Aid stores once the company agrees to respect workers.
Rally speakers criticized Rite Aid management for trying to overcharge workers for health benefits and the company’s growing record of serious violations against workers including illegal threats, harassment and firings.
In Lancaster, CA, 500 employees have been trying to win a fair first contract after overcoming a nasty anti-union campaign and three years of frustrating contract talks.
Similar problems are facing many Rite Aid workers at the company’s network of 4700 retail stores, including those in Cleveland, Ohio. Workers there were forced to strike last month after the company was charged by the NLRB with violating workers’ rights by using illegal harassment, threats, and surveillance.
Striking workers from Cleveland who belong to UFCW Local 880 flew out to attend the April 1 pinpoint boycott kickoff in San Pedro.
A growing coalition of community groups, student activists and labor unions are joining the effort, including United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) who have an impressive record of winning against big corporations such as Nike.
Keep up to date on the struggle of Rite Aid workers on their Facebook page: Rite Aid Workers United , and Twitter account or their campaign website at www.RiteAidWorkers.net
Or you can call their toll free hotline at 1-855-932-6926. If you currently have a prescription at either of the Rite Aid stores in San Pedro, CA, you can sign the pledge to “strip your script” here.
