Local 727 Effects Change at IL Pharmacy Task Force Hearing

| October 5, 2018

Teamsters Local 727 remains at the forefront of the fight for pharmacy reform in Illinois.

As the representative for hundreds of Osco and CVS pharmacists, Local 727 has witnessed firsthand the dangers understaffing pharmacies and overworking pharmacists can pose to both pharmacists and to the public at large.  This knowledge has driven the Union to press legislators to enact new pharmacy work standards which led to the successful creation of the Collaborative Pharmaceutical Task Force.

Pharmacists’ rest breaks took center stage at the most recent meeting of the Pharmacy Task Force on September 11th.  Local 727 representatives in attendance spoke up and urged the committee to seriously consider their rest break recommendations.  By detailing the many hurdles that prevent Teamster pharmacists from taking breaks—including staff shortages, an ever-growing list of superfluous distracting duties, and the refusal of CVS and Osco to acknowledge the problems that exist—Local 727 succeeded in convincing the Task Force to reevaluate rest break standards.  The committee discussed the possibility of recommending closing pharmacies and posting signs when pharmacists are on break.

“This Union will continue to amplify the voices of our hardworking pharmacists and push for safe work standards,” stated Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr..  “We hope the Task Force truly listens to the experiences of our members and recommends changes that will actually fix the problems facing pharmacists.”

Teamsters Local 727 will continue to attend task force meetings and press for the adoption of the work standards championed by the Union, including:

  • Limits on prescriptions filled per hour
  • At least 10 pharmacy technician hours per 100 prescriptions
  • Mandatory staffing levels at Illinois pharmacies that include one pharmacy tech per pharmacist at all times
  • Capping pharmacists’ work days at eight hours
  • Prohibiting activities such as advertising or solicitation mandates that distract pharmacists from doing their job serving the public
  • Mandatory uninterrupted paid rest breaks and meal periods

“Local 727 will continue to show up, stand up, and make our voice heard,” added Coli.  “We will not relent until real changes are made, until patient safety is considered before corporate greed, until our members can safely perform the jobs they love and are trained to do.”

The Collaborative Pharmaceutical Task Force is tentatively scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, October 9th.  Local 727 will continue to update our members on the progress of the task force.

Members with questions should contact Local 727 Osco Business Representative Zach Frankenbach at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected] or Local 727 CVS Business Representative Melissa Senatore at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].

Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

Category: PHARMACY

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