Question 1

Why Organize?

Accepted Answer

There are Conditions and Rights that no single individual could negotiate that can be obtained by joining a Collective Bargaining Unit or union.
As an individual you can be terminated at the will of the company, except where limited by law. Wages and hours can be changed at the will of the company. Vacation and holidays. The list goes on.
When there is a contract the company is forced to follow one set of rules that are available for all to see. As a group we get to negotiate those rules instead of having them imposed on us. We know those rules can't be changed for the term of the contract. Before the contract ends the company has to return to the table for negotiation.

Question 2

Why Organize?

Accepted Answer

There are Conditions and Rights that no single individual could negotiate that can be obtained by joining a Collective Bargaining Unit or union.
As an individual you can be terminated at the will of the company, except where limited by law. Wages and hours can be changed at the will of the company. Vacation and holidays. The list goes on.
When there is a contract the company is forced to follow one set of rules that are available for all to see. As a group we get to negotiate those rules instead of having them imposed on us. We know those rules can't be changed for the term of the contract. Before the contract ends the company has to return to the table for negotiation.

Question 3

Steps to Organize

Accepted Answer

1) Contact the Guild. The law may restrict your ability to organize. The Guild Executive Director will clarify any issues and provide you with authorization forms.
2) Get at least 30% of pharmacists in your company or regional area to authorize the Guild.
The Guild would file the petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
3) The NLRB would then conduct a secret ballot election. The ballot would include a choice to vote for the Guild and a choice to vote for no union representation. 
4) If a majority of voters (50 percent plus one) vote for the Guild, then the Guild will win the election and, unless the election is challenged, the NLRB will certify the Guild as the new pharmacists representative.
5) The company will be forced to negotiate a contract with the Guild. A negotiating team will consist of bargaining unit pharmacists chosen from volunteers. Negotiations will be led by an experienced Guild negotiator, with additional Guild support staff, but the primary work and decisions will be by the pharmacists.
6) The contract is put up for ratification by the membership. If a majority of the members vote to ratify then the contract will require company compliance. Wages, Conditions and Rights that no individual could negotiate will be available to all.

Question 4

Steps to Organize

Accepted Answer

1) Contact the Guild. The law may restrict your ability to organize. The Guild Executive Director will clarify any issues and provide you with authorization forms.
2) Get at least 30% of pharmacists in your company or regional area to authorize the Guild.
The Guild would file the petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
3) The NLRB would then conduct a secret ballot election. The ballot would include a choice to vote for the Guild and a choice to vote for no union representation. 
4) If a majority of voters (50 percent plus one) vote for the Guild, then the Guild will win the election and, unless the election is challenged, the NLRB will certify the Guild as the new pharmacists representative.
5) The company will be forced to negotiate a contract with the Guild. A negotiating team will consist of bargaining unit pharmacists chosen from volunteers. Negotiations will be led by an experienced Guild negotiator, with additional Guild support staff, but the primary work and decisions will be by the pharmacists.
6) The contract is put up for ratification by the membership. If a majority of the members vote to ratify then the contract will require company compliance. Wages, Conditions and Rights that no individual could negotiate will be available to all.

Question 5

But I'm doing fine right now, why should I care?"

Accepted Answer

You should care because of the fickle nature of companies and the ever present pressure for return.
The fickle nature means some random upcoming corporate pivot may improve corporate profitibilty by eliminating you. The rules can be changed on the fly leaving you out of step or worse.
A union contract means consistency in the rules.
 
The ever present pressure for return means that every corporate CFO, "for profit" or "non-profit", needs to improve return on investment to justify a top heavy pay structure. Having shareholders increases the pressure. Money has to come from somewhere and some day it will be you if you stand alone.
A union means you can resist the "race to the bottom".

Question 6

But I'm doing fine right now, why should I care?"

Accepted Answer

You should care because of the fickle nature of companies and the ever present pressure for return.
The fickle nature means some random upcoming corporate pivot may improve corporate profitibilty by eliminating you. The rules can be changed on the fly leaving you out of step or worse.
A union contract means consistency in the rules.
 
The ever present pressure for return means that every corporate CFO, "for profit" or "non-profit", needs to improve return on investment to justify a top heavy pay structure. Having shareholders increases the pressure. Money has to come from somewhere and some day it will be you if you stand alone.
A union means you can resist the "race to the bottom".

Question 7

I'm with Fred Meyer

Accepted Answer

1) If at least 30% of Fred Meyer pharmacists in the 3 districts of Oregon/Washington support the petition by signing authorizations for Guild representation then the Guild would file the petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
2) The NLRB would then conduct a secret ballot election. The ballot would include a choice to vote for the Guild and a choice to vote for no union representation. 
3) If a majority of voters (50 percent plus one) vote for the Guild, then the Guild will win the election and, unless the election is challenged, the NLRB will certify the Guild as the new Fred Meyer pharmacists representative.
4) Fred Meyer will be forced to negotiate a contract with the Guild. A negotiating team will consist of Fred Meyer pharmacists chosen from volunteers. Negotiations will be led by an experienced Guild negotiator, with additional Guild support staff, but the primary work and decisions will be by Fred Meyer pharmacists.
5) The contract is put up for ratification by the membership. If a majority of the members vote to ratify then the contract will require compliance by Fred Meyer. Wages, Conditions and Rights that no individual could negotiate will be available to all.

Question 8

I'm with Fred Meyer

Accepted Answer

1) If at least 30% of Fred Meyer pharmacists in the 3 districts of Oregon/Washington support the petition by signing authorizations for Guild representation then the Guild would file the petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
2) The NLRB would then conduct a secret ballot election. The ballot would include a choice to vote for the Guild and a choice to vote for no union representation. 
3) If a majority of voters (50 percent plus one) vote for the Guild, then the Guild will win the election and, unless the election is challenged, the NLRB will certify the Guild as the new Fred Meyer pharmacists representative.
4) Fred Meyer will be forced to negotiate a contract with the Guild. A negotiating team will consist of Fred Meyer pharmacists chosen from volunteers. Negotiations will be led by an experienced Guild negotiator, with additional Guild support staff, but the primary work and decisions will be by Fred Meyer pharmacists.
5) The contract is put up for ratification by the membership. If a majority of the members vote to ratify then the contract will require compliance by Fred Meyer. Wages, Conditions and Rights that no individual could negotiate will be available to all.

Guild For Professional Pharmacists

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National Home | Meet the Team | Guild History | Contact | Member Information

Contact Us

Need to speak to a Guild representative? Fill out the form below with a detailed description of your inquiry. Please call and make sure to speak to someone directly if you do not hear back within 1-2 business days.

Email: Contactus@gfpp.com | Phone: 916-550-1119

Please Read our Policy Page Prior to using this Website

Need to speak to a Guild representative?

Fill out the form below with a detailed description of your inquiry.
Please call and make sure to speak to someone directly if you do not hear back within 1-2 business days.