CVS workers strike at 7 California locations seeking better pay, health care

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Workers at seven CVS pharmacies in Southern California are now on strike, as they demand better pay and health care and to call out what they describe as the company engaging in bad-faith contract bargaining.

The strike began Friday and continued through the weekend, affecting four stores in Los Angeles and three others in Orange County. Striking workers outside a Los Angeles location told customers on Saturday not to cross the picket lines, according to The Associated Press.

Melissa Acosta, a pharmacy technician who is on the contract bargaining committee, claimed the company was «intimidating workers, observing them, getting in the way of them speaking to union representatives,» the outlet reported.

Despite the strike, the affected CVS locations have remained open and staffed by managers and nonunion employees.

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Workers at seven CVS pharmacies in Southern California are now on strike, as they demand better pay and health care. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Workers planned to continue picketing until contract negotiations with the company resume Wednesday.

The strike was approved when more than 90% of the two local United Food and Commercial Workers unions involved voted in favor on Sept. 29, according to The Associated Press.

«We're disappointed that our UFCW member colleagues have gone on strike at a few select locations in the Los Angeles area,» CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault said in a statement.

Thibault said the company has made progress towards a final contract and has reached tentative agreements to raise pay and increase the company's health insurance contributions.

Acosta said she cannot afford the