CVS workers at seven Southern California stores are striking for better pay and affordable health care

BUENA PARK, Calif. (KABC) — Workers at seven CVS Health stores across Southern California have gone on strike. The employees affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union include employees from four stores in Los Angeles and three in Orange County.

“They don’t allow us to talk to our union representatives when they come in. They don’t allow us to wear our buttons to support our illegal contract that we want to fight for,” said Ashley Cantu, a lead technician at a CVS Health pharmacy in Buena Park.

Although all CVS stores will remain open during the strike, employees are pushing for a new contract that addresses their concerns about fair pay and improved working conditions.

“We're trying to get better pay for the store, like a $3 or $4 raise, and for the pharmacy we're trying to get a $6 raise,” Cantu said.

Many workers also expressed frustration over staffing shortages and affordable health care.

“Many of these members are paying $600 to $700 per paycheck for their benefits, and that is unsustainable for workers making $20 an hour,” said Jenna Thompson, communications director for UFCW 324.

The strike comes after CEO Karen Lynch recently resigned after CVS shares fell more than 25 percent. Earlier this month, the company laid off nearly 3,000 corporate employees. David Joyner was appointed as Lynch's successor.

“We’re just trying to fight for our members and for a better contract,” Cantu said.

CVS Health said it has had more than a dozen negotiations with the UFCW in recent months. A statement said, in part: “We have made progress toward finalizing a contract and have already reached tentative agreements that will increase store associate compensation.”

Meanwhile, workers said they would strike for as long as necessary until their demands were met and their needs met.