Grocery Pharmacists Deliver Patient Frustrations to Albertsons Corporate Headquarters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2026
CONTACT: Jenna Thompson, jthompson@ufcw324.org, 949.246.1620
Grocery Pharmacists Deliver Patient Frustrations to Albertsons Corporate Headquarters
Photos/videos from the event are available here
Fullerton, CA — Pharmacists from Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, and Pavilions represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) rallied at the Albertsons Southern California Division headquarters on Monday, June 15, 2026, where they delivered patient and customer comments submitted from survey results addressing grocery pharmacy patients examining wait times, service conditions, and medication safety.
“I love working as a pharmacist and caring for my community,” said Christina Nguyen, a pharmacist at Albertsons in Fullerton. “We go above and beyond for our patients and play a big role in our community’s health, but Albertsons clearly doesn’t respect us or the role we play in their stores. Right now, it’s time Albertsons and Ralphs get serious at the bargaining table for our sake and our patients.”
Over 200 grocery-pharmacy patients have noticed a clear pattern: longer lines, chronic understaffing, and troubling safety concerns inside grocery-based pharmacies. These comments come as grocery pharmacists, who are currently negotiating a new contract, report mounting workload pressures and rising prescription volumes inside supermarkets.
Key survey findings:
- Growing Lines: 67% of patients say pharmacy lines have increased in the last four years
- Increased Visits: 64% say the number of times they visit their pharmacy has increased during the same period
- Extended Wait Times: More than half (52%) report waiting more than 10 minutes for service
- Medication Safety Concerns: Nearly 10% of patients reported experiencing a medication error, a serious concern in any health care setting
- Workload Pressures: Patients frequently describe pharmacists as overwhelmed, understaffed, and juggling multiple responsibilities at once
The findings paint a picture of pharmacies serving more patients with growing workloads while struggling to keep pace with demand. The survey also found that patients overwhelmingly support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians while expressing concern about staffing levels and workload.
“Pharmacists are frustrated and their patients and customers feel the same way,” said Jose Perez, President, UFCW Local 324. “Over 200 comments from patients have been collected and prove to us that the issues grocery pharmacists are facing are negatively impacting patient care. It’s time Albertsons and Ralphs support their pharmacists by negotiating a contract these hard-working healthcare professionals can be proud of.”
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union represents nearly 800 pharmacists who work at Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, and Pavilions in Southern California. These essential community healthcare providers have been negotiating their new contract since January, and are calling for stronger staffing standards and competitive wages to retain experienced professionals. They argue that investing in pharmacy staffing is not just about workplace conditions, it is about protecting patient safety inside community grocery stores. Their contract expired on March 1, 2026.
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