THE union representing more than 7,000 CVS Pharmacy workers in southern California has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

The apparent breakthrough came after workers went on strike last weekend demanding higher pay, improved staffing and more affordable healthcare.

“Today proves that when workers fight, we win,” the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) bargaining committee said on Thursday. 

“We look forward to discussing the details of this agreement with our co-workers before we make our voices heard during the voting process.”

The walkout, which affected four pharmacies in Los Angeles and three in Orange County, began on October 18 and continued through last weekend. 

The union filed unfair labour practice charges against the company, accusing it of using intimidation tactics and preventing workers from speaking to their union representatives.

UFCW members will now vote on the contract, with the committee “unanimously” recommending approval.

Workers have said that they cannot afford the cost of the insurance that CVS offers. They also say that shops have too few workers to handle the extra demands of the flu season and that locked-up items on shelves further exacerbates the staffing shortage.

The company said it was “pleased” to have reached a tentative agreement.

“We’re proud of our long-standing, productive relationship with the UFCW and hope to finalise a new agreement soon,” said CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault.

Last Friday, thousands of pharmacy workers at rival chain Rite Aid in the Los Angeles area, also represented by the UFCW, voted to strike after two months with an expired contract. 

The union alleged that the company was guilty of unfair labour practices such as offering incentives to workers not to sign petitions and bargaining directly with employees.

More than 2,400 mental health workers at the Kaiser Foundation walked out on Monday over increased workloads and staff shortages, which their union said had created a “substandard” system of care. 

Picket lines were formed outside Kaiser facilities in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego.