Union Files Unfair Labor Charges Against Walgreen Co.

Chicago, On July 12, the National Pharmacists Association union representing pharmacists on strike at Walgreen Co. filed unfair labor practices charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Chuck Sauer, the union’s executive director, said, “Walgreens managers are harassing employees with repeated calls and threats to coerce them to return to work.”

The NLRB will conduct an investigation that could take about two months to complete. If the investigation reveals evidence of the charges, the case can be tried before an administrative law judge if it is not settled first. The strike by 1,200 pharmacists belonging to the National Pharmacists Association began July 6 and affects about 400 stores in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Walgreen Co.’s spokesman Michael Polzin denied the charges, explaining that allegations of this kind are not uncommon during a strike. He is confident the charges will be dismissed and said, “We have acted properly and will continue to act properly throughout this process.