MEETING MINUTES

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 Albertson, Vons and Pavilions Meeting Date: February 3, 2026

Next Meeting: May 5, 2026 | 1:00 PM

OVERVIEW
The AVP Pharmacy Committee met to discuss Southern California pharmacy hour reductions, staffing impacts, operational challenges, and upcoming policy considerations, and pharmacy lunch-closure practices. The discussion concluded with agreed-upon follow-up actions and future meeting dates.

KEY DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
Pharmacy Hour Reductions (Southern California) Thirteen Southern California stores experienced pharmacy hour reductions, impacting 49 pharmacists. Reductions were based on competitive and profitability analyses and implemented through a seniority-based bumping process. Impacted pharmacists were offered options including part-time status, bumping the least senior full-time pharmacist, or transferring to open positions within 25 miles. These changes are regional and not companywide as stated by the company.

Work Schedules and Waivers
Full-time pharmacists may reduce hours to 32 per week using a standardized waiver form, subject to employer and union approval. While some pharmacists expressed willingness to reduce hours, others cited financial concerns. Pharmacy technician’s hours are not effective because of the recent operational time change.

Request for 2026 policy and law changes 
Union requested to Review bargaining RFI responses, identify missing information, and submit follow-up requests.

Access to (Pharmacist) Floater Schedule
The Union emphasized the need for consistent access to floater schedules and clearer points of contact for staffing inquiries. The company requested that an email be sent to the district managers and they would provide a schedule.

Pharmacist Meal Periods & Posted Pharmacy Lunch Closures
Lunch Closure Policy and Customer Service The current 30-minute pharmacy closure window will remain in place to manage customer expectations and minimize wait times. Concerns were raised about pressure on pharmacists to shorten lunches and the burden placed on technicians during closures.

Technician Float Pool - Staffing and Coverage Challenges
Coverage during peak hours and emergencies remains a concern. Protocols discussed included waivers for pharmacist or temporary pharmacy closure when staffing is unavailable (AB 1286) . Technician hours are being adjusted in response to reduced pharmacy hours. The committee agreed to continue discussions on staffing models and a potential shift-filling system.

ACTION ITEMS / NEXT STEPS

  • Company:  Provide a complete list of affected stores and final pharmacist placement outcomes.  Provide business factors that led to hour reductions at the 13 affected stores. Share submitted 2026 policy and law changes once compliance review is complete.

  • Occasional Day off & 40 hour Guarantee – In current Proposal

  • Staffing Coverage-In Current Proposal

  • CBA Interpretation: Floater Pharmacist Rotation Status-In current proposal

Union & Company
Meet on March 9, 2026 to discuss the shift-filling system and staffing proposals.

12/1/2025 Ralphs PRC Meeting Recap

  • Lunch break policy still pending legal response.  Rachel said it should be sent out to pharmacists before the next meeting on 2/11/26.

  • How can pharmacists request hotel and meal accommodation when floating to a store more than 25 miles from their home?

    • Article 5, Section Q, Paragraph 3 of contract Ralphs RETAIL PHARMACIST AGREEMENT

    • If the floater pharmacist needs a hotel, they should request it when they get their schedule.  However, last minute requests for hotels can be accommodated if the pharmacist reaches out to the PPC or Rachel.  Each pharmacist is allocated $50 for dinner.  Rachel will check if Kroger offers a stipend for breakfast/lunch.

  • Vacation Policy

    • Pharmacists can request consecutive vacation weeks off  per Ralphs vacation policy.  Reach out to Rachel if you have a special request.   Rachel will post available dates for 2026 in this week’s DB.

  • What is the process for PIC to get more hours when they need it?

    • Pharmacy hours are set up and approved by Kroger

    • Ralphs currently sends G80 help based on PIC’s requests and PPC’s input, but this is not following new pharmacy law.  Rachel will review this with Kroger and get back to committee at the next meeting.

    • AB-1503 grants PIC pharmacists the discretion to add hours when needed.

  • Certified Tech Immunizer Follow-Up

    • Process for techs to provide certification status- Per Rachel, she will provide Andrea and Christine with a checklist of qualifications that a pharmacy technician must meet in order to qualify for the $2.25 premium.

  • Floater Pharmacist Scheduling Equity

    • Ralphs will schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns. They will initially send you a survey to add items to the agenda.

*Next meeting February 11th, 2026

Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions PRC Agenda 10/21/25


Items for Follow-Up

Union

  • Union following up with regarding pharmacy technicians who are getting their $2.25 take away due to missing some component of the three requirements as immunizers

    • Premium or pay rate?

    • The Company reported that most pharmacy technicians have since completed all required components and have had their $2.25 premium reinstated. A total of 170 pharmacy technicians were confirmed to have received the premium back.

    • The Company also stated that the $2.25 premium pay applies only to hours worked.

    • The Union disagreed, maintaining that the premium should apply as long as the technician remains qualified as an immunizer, regardless of specific hours worked.

Next Steps:

  • Union to continue monitoring pay discrepancies and ensure all eligible technicians receive their premium pay.

  • Further discussion to be scheduled to address the interpretation of “hours worked” 


Mileage reimbursement

  • Union reaching out to pharmacists who have gotten mileage reimbursement to assess past practice

  • Darren confirmed that pharmacists were paid mileage reimbursement previously.

  • The Company stated that mileage reimbursement is only paid after 25 miles.

Next Steps:

Union to continue gathering information from pharmacists to verify consistency in reimbursement practices. Further review to determine if the Company’s current policy aligns with past practice and contractual language.

  • Pharmacist well-being

    • Union de-identifying responses to survey responses

    • The Union will maintain confidentiality of all sensitive information and ensure individual identities are protected. However, the Union may share certain de-identified or context-specific information with the company when necessary to address workplace concerns or improve conditions.

    • Company: The company stated that pharmacists should contact their PDMs directly if they have any concerns related to staffing or safety.

Company

  • Full list of former Rite Aid employees sent to the Trust Fund

    • Shaylon sent the numbers to Diana, confirming that a total of 50 individuals—comprising both pharmacy technicians and pharmacists from Rite Aid—have transitioned into new positions.

  • Compliance regarding CA pharmacist lunches in Policies and Procedures

    • New signage violates contract - 1 hour v 30 minutes

    • Updating posted signs regarding time/duration of lunch breaks (ideally to match website)

    • The Union raised concerns that the new signage violates the contract by indicating a 30-minute lunch instead of the contractual 1-hour lunch period. The Company responded that pharmacists may take a full 1-hour lunch as long as the PDM is informed and it is mutually agreed upon. The Union requested that updated signage be posted to accurately reflect the 1-hour closure policy.

  • Pharmacy technician in training program

    • Update on grant

    • Union: The pharmacy technician program grant has been submitted and is still pending approval. The Company stated there is a need for additional pharmacy technicians and expressed interest in utilizing unpaid externship pharmacy technician students who would shadow pharmacists willing to provide training. 

    • The Union recommended pausing the program until a decision on the grant is received. Pharmacist Jean Drexler expressed her interest in teaching, either through the externship program or as part of the pharmacy technician grant.

  • AB 1286 “pharmacist discretion”

    • There was a discussion regarding what tasks a pharmacist can or cannot refuse to perform. The new law, AB 1503, provides additional support by requiring the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) to determine the appropriate pharmacist-to-technician ratio within prescribed limits. The law also prohibits anyone from interfering with the PIC’s independent professional judgment when setting this ratio. Additionally, the bill mandates that the PIC must notify the owner or hospital administrator if any dangerous conditions arise, as specified in the legislation.

  • Survey Response

    • Comment: “There is no technician float pool. We need to have more readily available techs.”

Next Meeting Date: January 27, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM