Rite Aid workers distributed leaflets at one of the chain’s locations in Flushing, NY on Sept. 9 to let the community know that they’ve been in a six-month contract struggle with the drug-retail giant.

1199SEIU represents hundreds of pharmacists, interns, pharmacy technicians and cashiers at Rite Aid. The company has demanded serious concessions that would result in layoffs and immediately take pharmacy interns out of the bargaining unit. Pharmacists would be phased out of the bargaining unit over time.

Mary Graffeo, a cashier at Rite Aid #0668 in Ronkonkoma, NY, said joined the leafletting to make sure the public knows what’s happening to workers at their local stores.

“Our customers know us. We are like family and I have real pride in my store. I love my job,” says Graffeo. “I don’t see how they can do this. And our pharmacists are the backbone of the company. All we want is a fair wage and to be treated decently.”

Yolanda Diaz, a CNA at Sapphire Nursing Home in Flushing, came on her lunch hour to lend support to the action.

“Every family deserves a fair wage and good benefits. Many employers only care about themselves and this is why workers are in the situation we’re in,” says Diaz. “Workers going without a contract for six months is not acceptable. We need to stick together and fight to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

Lillian Burns, a pharmacy technician at Rite Aid #10672 in Shirley, says she’s with Diaz and is committed to the struggle.

“I’m from the old school. I know Unions are very important and they’ve provided us with a lot of opportunities over the years. I was around when we had no union,” says Burns, who has been at her Rite Aid for over 20 years. “The Union is important to me and to my husband, who is a retired veteran. They’re trying to take away from us things we’ve worked hard for, so you bet I’m going to fight like hell to keep them.”

Show Your Support! Call 1-800-RiteAid And Tell Them To Do The Right Thing!