Teamsters Local 727 Bargaining Committee Outraged By CVS's Claims That Negotiations Aren't 'Personal'

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Oct 11, 2018, 17:22 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS (NYSE: CVS) sparked outrage during negotiations with Teamsters Local 727 on Wednesday when the Company's lead negotiator claimed that CVS's tactics and proposals throughout more than two years of negotiations, which includes delays, disrespect and insulting proposals, are "not personal, just business."

"For CVS negotiators to suggest their stingy contract proposals, sluggishness, and overall bad faith bargaining is 'just business,' is a slap in the face to the hundreds of pharmacists who have dedicated their careers to this company and spend more time in a year working for CVS than they do with their loved ones," contended Melissa Senatore, Business Representative for Local 727's CVS members.

Local 727 was quick to correct CVS and made clear to CVS negotiators the importance and impact that each and every proposal has on pharmacists and their families. Despite this, CVS continued to waste time preparing a document which merely summarized the company's previous proposals and indicated no movement – a document the company admitted had no proposals in it.

Today, Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. mailed letters to 25 CVS executives updating them on the company's refusal to acknowledge the hard work of pharmacists and disrespectful manner in which it is negotiating.

"Throughout negotiations, CVS has wasted months and countless dollars on lawyers who have deflected all Union attempts to bargain in good faith," wrote Coli. "These actions seem to suggest CVS has no desire to be fair or reasonable and reach a deal."

Secretary-Treasurer Coli also took time to write and mail letters to top executives of Aetna Inc., the Fortune 50 health care company set to merge with CVS.

As reported in The New York Times, many supporters of the merger are eager for Aetna's potential use of CVS pharmacies and clinics as a channel to treat and provide care to Aetna customers.

"A rapid influx in new patients who use CVS would further exacerbate the existing problems pharmacists face," warned Coli in his letter to Aetna executives. "Pharmacists' vital role in this must be acknowledged and a fair deal must be reached so that quality patient care can continue uninterrupted."

Coli requested both CVS and Aetna executives step-in and instruct company negotiators to come to the parties' next meeting prepared to bargain in good faith.

"Show your employees that CVS recognizes their hard work and dedication as personal, not just business," urged Coli.

The parties are scheduled to meet next on Nov. 14.

Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area.

Contact:
Melissa Senatore
(847) 696-7500

SOURCE Teamsters Local 727