Would this be a good time to organize into a union and call for labor strikes?

[Sparda29]

We have hospital admins chilling and working from home. The hospitals were telling us that if we get sick and have to stay quarantined at home that we wouldn't get paid for it. The hospitals had minimal supplies of PPE on hand (we're being told to re-use surgical masks for IV compounding and to not bother wearing N95 masks for chemo compounding).

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[Gombrich12]

Yea, go ahead and strike during a national emergency and see what happens.

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

Yea, go ahead and strike during a national emergency and see what happens.

I actually want to see what happens. They'll probably hire all those desperate, unemployed new grads to replace the ones on strike. lol.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Strike?

Why are you in this field exactly?

 

[lord999]

Yea, go ahead and strike during a national emergency and see what happens.

Actually, under the Stafford Act, we know what happens.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1582133514823-be4368438bd042e3b60f5cec6b377d17/Stafford_June_2019_508.pdf

Section 314 and the National Labor Relations Act.

@Sparda29 ,the best of luck keeping your license if you do. Also, considering how aggressive the Federal Southern District of NY US Attorney's office is (remember that most take that job as a political ascendancy like Giuliani), I'm sure they're going to make an example out of someone. If you're willing to volunteer...

 

[Sparda29]

Strike?

Why are you in this field exactly?

Spoken like an out of touch administrator.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Spoken like an out of touch administrator.

You care only about yourself, got it.

Pharmacies are packed and you want to go on strike.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Absolutely not. The country needs us right now.

 

[VA77]

The optics of a strike would be bad. We gotta show the public that we have been working hard before this(understaffed) and now we are running ragged. Plus we have flu season and those vaccine quotas coming in 4 months. I usually take most PTO during this time of year to avoid that time of year but PTO is getting ready to be suspended I'm hearing

 

[Sparda29]

You guys realize that pharmacists, doctors, and nurses probably will not be getting a dime of that stimulus package money?

 

[TheBlaah]

You guys realize that pharmacists, doctors, and nurses probably will not be getting a dime of that stimulus package money?

So you want to strike during a national emergency? Do you see doctors and nurses striking?

The cajones on this guy.

 

[wagrxm2000]

You guys realize that pharmacists, doctors, and nurses probably will not be getting a dime of that stimulus package money?

You are looking even worse then usual right now.

We aren't out of a job plus get paid well. Why the heck do you want stimulus money?

 

[Sparda29]

You are looking even worse then usual right now.

We aren't out of a job plus get paid well. Why the heck do you want stimulus money?

Why shouldn't we be getting it? It's not like our bills are being frozen. I still have to pay my car payment, car insurance, student loan, credit card debts, and on top of that I need to buy food for the stockpile. We're the ones putting ourselves at risk.

What happened to all that fear mongering about socialism?

 

[wagrxm2000]

Why shouldn't we be getting it? It's not like our bills are being frozen. I still have to pay my car payment, car insurance, student loan, credit card debts, and on top of that I need to buy food for the stockpile. We're the ones putting ourselves at risk.

What happened to all that fear mongering about socialism?

Again you aren't out of a job

 

[johnpharm01]

Probably the worst time to strike and everyone who is likely to spend the money should receive it

 

[Sparda29]

Again you aren't out of a job

It's not meant to be just for those who are out of jobs.

 

[Wickett]

Coming from a retail perspective, the public needs us right now. Most of the prescribers in my area won't even see patients in person and I have been the only healthcare person in town they are able to physically interact with regularly to talk to about what is going on/answer questions and give advice/hear them out and allay their fears, etc, on top of getting them their needed medicine. This is a national emergency that goes beyond our personal safety and financial well being as pharmacists. Do your job or find another profession if you don't have the personality for it.

The technicians are being subjected to the same risks as we are at a fraction of the pay. If you are working as a pharmacist, you should have enough savings set aside to cover the costs of being out of work for a few weeks and/or have PTO to use up. I just assume I will get it eventually sometime this year and am planning accordingly. If you will be underwater on your bills the moment you aren't getting paid, that is just poor planning on your part.

 

[mentos]

Why shouldn't we be getting it? It's not like our bills are being frozen. I still have to pay my car payment, car insurance, student loan, credit card debts, and on top of that I need to buy food for the stockpile. We're the ones putting ourselves at risk.

What happened to all that fear mongering about socialism?

Sounds like you spend more on wants, not needs. The stimulus package is not for paying off your expensive car and consumer spending.

 

[Xenophylia]

It is kind of annoying though. Pharmacy is typically the bastard stepchild of healthcare UNTIL something like this happens. And our employers and the public still will treat us like **** before, after, and during even though we risk our own health for nothing more than the dubious pleasure of serving them and our ungrateful corporate overlords. Would be nice- just once in a while- to be shown we're worth something. You can't buy toilet paper with "thank you's" if you're lucky enough to even get those. And most of us don't...

 

[lord999]

Again you aren't out of a job

Agreed. That, and we're not going to be out of a job anytime soon. If anything, coronavirus is going to force mandated overtime on us. I do wish we got a hazard pay differential, but it's going to be a dark time for the average or median American household when the cleanup bill comes due.

 

[Xenophylia]

Just got my letter from my employer designating me as "essential personnel" for when the national quarantine happens. Lucky me.

 

[johnpharm01]

Sounds like you spend more on wants, not needs. The stimulus package is not for paying off your expensive car and consumer spending.

I think the goal of a stimulus package would be to help people get by until employment rebounds. The stimulus money spent in turn would keep business open and allow their bills to be paid. We might get a stimulus check I vaguely remember getting one under Obama.

This time I would use it at my local adult entertainment establishment. The entertainers, bartenders, door security, and the uber driver would benefit and then their landlords, retailers, etc would benefit indirectly.

 

[PharmtoCS]

 

[Dred Pirate]

Why shouldn't we be getting it? It's not like our bills are being frozen. I still have to pay my car payment, car insurance, student loan, credit card debts, and on top of that I need to buy food for the stockpile. We're the ones putting ourselves at risk.

What happened to all that fear mongering about socialism?

but you are still getting a paycheck - so you can pay those bills,

 

[Dred Pirate]

are any of you working from home - doing remote order entry?

 

[owlegrad]

are any of you working from home - doing remote order entry?

I just beta tested this for my company yesterday. It was rough but it worked. So far they haven’t announced any plans to actual do it but they want it in place in case.

 

[Dred Pirate]

I just beta tested this for my company yesterday. It was rough but it worked. So far they haven’t announced any plans to actual do it but they want it in place in case.

we are going to do it with part of our staff - I think they are testing it this week. Sort of have a couple of cohorts. Plus if/when people get exposed, they can self quaranten and still work

 

[quickpic007]

You are looking even worse then usual right now.

We aren't out of a job plus get paid well. Why the heck do you want stimulus money?

Outrageous. So I am suppose to get zero because I make a decent wage? I personally am tired of seeing so little tax money spend on upper middle class.
If I got 1K in stimulus I'd blow it immediately just for the memories.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Outrageous. So I am suppose to get zero because I make a decent wage? I personally am tired of seeing so little tax money spend on upper middle class.
If I got 1K in stimulus I'd blow it immediately just for the memories.

This better be sarcasm

 

[RxInvestor2014]

Again you aren't out of a job

What about pharmacists that are out of a job now, but made $100,000 in 2018?

 

[Pharmacy Kid]

I found ten N95 masks in my closet. I used to work on my car and bought a bunch a few years ago. Probably will donate to a hospital or clinic.

 

[Xenophylia]

Outrageous. So I am suppose to get zero because I make a decent wage? I personally am tired of seeing so little tax money spend on upper middle class.
If I got 1K in stimulus I'd blow it immediately just for the memories.

He kind of has a point. They'd be essentially just giving him back some of his own money anyway....

 

[gwarm01]

Agreed. That, and we're not going to be out of a job anytime soon. If anything, coronavirus is going to force mandated overtime on us. I do wish we got a hazard pay differential, but it's going to be a dark time for the average or median American household when the cleanup bill comes due.

Suddenly the years of wishing I had majored in computer science seems so silly. It may end up being a good year for pharmacy after all.

are any of you working from home - doing remote order entry?

My informatics team has been moved to 100% remote. It makes sense for us because all of our work is on a computer anyway.

More interesting is that the institution is letting our order entry pharmacists work remote as well. No idea how well that is working, but I'm glad we are trialing it out.

 

[mentos]

Suddenly the years of wishing I had majored in computer science seems so silly. It may end up being a good year for pharmacy after all.

My friend at Wags just vented that her child's daycare is closed (she still has to pay for it), they are understaffed, exposed to sick people, she will get no government help, and there is no OT allowed. Doesn't sound like a good situation to me.

 

[owlegrad]

She has to pay for a daycare that isn’t open? That seems like a tough sell to me.

 

[grumpyRph]

i'm worried some/a lot of pharmacies will close or go to way shortened hours. i mean why not just have all pharmacies be 1 rph 9-5 during these shutdowns. and then when this is all over, why would most ever extend their hours again back to 9-9/2 rph day?

the only glimmer of hope for more pharmacist demand FROM this would be when the vaccine rolls out.

as of right now i have full time working at 9-9 pharmacies, even picked up 4 hours of OT yesterday. I guess i'm working while i feel healthy and saving/earning more PTO for an even rainier day (like we were all doing before covid anyway )

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Suddenly the years of wishing I had majored in computer science seems so silly. It may end up being a good year for pharmacy after all.

Literally every technician I know of that wanted to leave CVS went from "I'm looking for a new job" to "I'ma stay here!" this week, lol.

 

[quickpic007]

My friend at Wags just vented that her child's daycare is closed (she still has to pay for it), they are understaffed, exposed to sick people, she will get no government help, and there is no OT allowed. Doesn't sound like a good situation to me.

put a stop payment on that from the bank LOL

 

[projektreverb]

You guys realize that pharmacists, doctors, and nurses probably will not be getting a dime of that stimulus package money?

Your stimulus package is your paycheck from the 6 figure job you still have. Going on strike during a national emergency is a dick move. We as a healthcare community need to have a conversation about working conditions and pay after this blows over.

 

[mentos]

She has to pay for a daycare that isn’t open? That seems like a tough sell to me.

Yes that's how they all operate. If your kid is home sick, you still have to pay. If they're closed on Thanksgiving, you still have to pay.

That's why we got a nanny.

 

[owlegrad]

Yes that's how they all operate. If your kid is home sick, you still have to pay. If they're closed on Thanksgiving, you still have to pay.

That's why we got a nanny.

Well it’s one thing to be out for a day or a holiday but an extended amount of time because the daycare is shut down? I wouldn’t pay (easy for me to say of course). If they are shut down for a month or two and told me I had to pay I would be finding a new day care.

 

[deleted480308]

Well it’s one thing to be out for a day or a holiday but an extended amount of time because the daycare is shut down? I wouldn’t pay (easy for me to say of course). If they are shut down for a month or two and told me I had to pay I would be finding a new day care.

Yeah, hard pass on me paying someone for 6wks if they are the one not providing the service. They are welcome to not take my kid back later if they cannot understand that

 

[mentos]

Well it’s one thing to be out for a day or a holiday but an extended amount of time because the daycare is shut down? I wouldn’t pay (easy for me to say of course). If they are shut down for a month or two and told me I had to pay I would be finding a new day care.

Yeah, hard pass on me paying someone for 6wks if they are the one not providing the service. They are welcome to not take my kid back later if they cannot understand that

It is easy for you guys to say if you don't have kids. The wait-list is usually 9 months to a year so if you take your kid out, you're SOL. The parents are held hostage.

 

[owlegrad]

It is easy for you guys to say if you don't have kids. The wait-list is usually 9 months to a year so if you take your kid out, you're SOL. The parents are held hostage.

So my sister works for a daycare and parents not paying the bill is a huge problem for them. In fact some daycares go out of business for that reason. I feel confident in saying it would be easy to tell them you aren’t paying for the time they are shut down and they would be forced to accept that. Your perception might be that you are being held hostage but the reality is probably the opposite.

On the other hand my sister might just have terrible luck in the daycares she has worked for, lol

 

[RxPreceptor]

This would be a good time to petition for some (keyword) national labor laws/legislature for pharmacists once this whole dilemma is over. Not ethical to strike during such times but getting public backing to support labor laws would be a wise idea whilst people are still sentimental & grateful for what service he/she can get from overworked, understaffed pharmacies

 

[mentos]

I'm surprised people are allowing their teenagers to work at the grocery store. I'd personally keep them home, why risk it?

 

[deleted480308]

It is easy for you guys to say if you don't have kids. The wait-list is usually 9 months to a year so if you take your kid out, you're SOL. The parents are held hostage.

I have kids.

 

[owlegrad]

I'm surprised people are allowing their teenagers to work at the grocery store. I'd personally keep them home, why risk it?

There is probably an argument to be made that it Is safer for the teenagers to work than the older adults. But I take your point, it is surprising that more parents aren’t the overprotective (Or just regular protective) type. Maybe the parents like having the kids out of the house? Or maybe they do think that the work is actually important and that their kids are contributing to society during an emergency? Or maybe they just need the money or their employer is persuading them to work.

Of course I’m sure it’s a mix of all kinds of things and different for each family.

 

[PSOP Student]

We have hospital admins chilling and working from home. The hospitals were telling us that if we get sick and have to stay quarantined at home that we wouldn't get paid for it. The hospitals had minimal supplies of PPE on hand (we're being told to re-use surgical masks for IV compounding and to not bother wearing N95 masks for chemo compounding).

Plenty more to replace you and others with. Pharmacists are NOT part of the health care team. Remember where you are on the totem pole/chopping block. If you don't want to die from COVID, quit. Plenty more unemployed graduates in line to replace you.

Just being honest here. Count or clock out, no need to cry as you aren't a Doctor or a respected healthcare member.

 

[PSOP Student]

I'm surprised people are allowing their teenagers to work at the grocery store. I'd personally keep them home, why risk it?

I take it you come from money/have money?

EDIT: Oh you do. Some don't have money or come from money. For some, this is the only chance they have to get into the workforce and for some this is a way out of working for fast food chains as these opportunities are usually given to the privileged. Unfortunately it will/may come at a cost to them/their families.