Walgreens pharmacists launch the ‘Phed Up’ tour, advocating for better pay, conditions

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Demonstrations are taking place at Walgreens across the Chicago area leading up to a big rally outside Walgreens headquarters on May 10.

The “Phed Up” tour was organized by the National Pharmacist Association-Liuna that represents 900 Walgreen pharmacists who say they are fed up.

Pharmacists say they have not been working with a contract for nine months. They want better to pay and working conditions, saying since the start of the pandemic, they have dealt with inconsistent scheduling and are overworked.

A spokesperson for Walgreens says they have taken steps to improve the experiences of Walgreens pharmacists over the past two-years including investing and recruiting, offering incentives and enhancing technology to reduce workload.

Union representative for the National Pharmacists Association-Liuna Jeremy Strong says all they want is to be treated fairly.

Uber launches new rider verification program in Chicago, 11 other cities

“They’re just overworked, understaffed, they feel overwhelmed. As long as we get a fair contract, they’re treated fairly just like any other job, that’s all we care about,” Strong said.

Walgreens released a statement addressing the situation:

“We are fully committed to ensuring their contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, including competitive pay and benefits, and are continuing to bargain in good faith with our Chicago area pharmacists in an effort to reach a new contract.”

The demonstrators wore lab coats with messages spray painted on like “Overworked,” and “exploited. They are union workers who support the pharmacists. Pharmacists are not on strike and Walgreens says there should be no interruptions to any services during these demonstrations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.