Due to growing workloads from the introduction of additional healthcare services at pharmacies. Workers state that staff levels are decreasing and they are experiencing cuts in their hours. The combination of these factors has resulted in a large increase in workload for each worker, and these workload changes have increased the risk of medication errors. Mistakes in prescriptions can have serious consequences for the health of customers, and these errors can be fatal. CVS workers went on strike for two days in late September, and Walgreens employees went on strike in mid-October. The pharmacy worker strikes were wildcat strikes, which means that the strike action was not backed by union support, and it was an independent decision made by pharmacy staff. The main focus of the strikes was to bring attention to the significant staff shortages that these pharmacies are experiencing, and workers are hoping that the strike will push CVS and Walgreens to increase hiring efforts.
See "Pharmacy staff at CVS and Walgreens independently went on strike, citing concerns about the significant increases in workloads", Michael Sainato, The Guardian, October 23, 2023