CVS distribution center workers plan to go on strike

By Christy Santhosh

April 16 (Reuters) - ‌More than ​500 ​CVS Health drivers and warehouse workers at the healthcare conglomerate's Fredericksburg, Virginia distribution center have voted to ‌authorize a strike on May 1, the International Brotherhood ⁠of Teamsters said on Thursday.

• The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 592, are ‌demanding a fair agreement ‌and rejecting the healthcare conglomerate's concessionary demands, the union said.

• "If CVS keeps pushing concessions and refusing to take bargaining seriously, ​we will be forced on the picket line May 1," said Chris Donald, a 38-year-old warehouse worker and member ⁠of Local 592.

• Teamsters said CVS is demanding cuts to affordable health care and ​other core benefits.

• "CVS is choosing greed over its workforce. We will not accept a concessionary contract and ​we will fight to protect every ‌benefit our members have earned," said Jim Smith, president of Teamsters Local 592.

• The group of workers ⁠supplies CVS stores across the Mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and a strike would disrupt operations across the region, Local 592 ⁠said.

• Meanwhile, CVS told Reuters a strike is not imminent and that it ​is in active discussions with the union.

• The healthcare company said it is confident it can "reach an agreement that supports workplace safety and competitive ‌wages and benefits."

• CVS added it has contingency plans to ensure its stores and pharmacies continue ‌to receive shipments, saying it can work quickly to replenish ⁠impacted products if there is ‌a disruption.

• Teamsters ​did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by ‌Jonathan Ananda)

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