A motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was on the brink of failing on Saturday, after lawmakers from his ruling party boycotted the ballot despite huge protests outside parliament. Watch for more details!

South Korean Lawmakers Walk Out of Parliament

Several pharmacists across the United States, unhappy with worsening working conditions at mammoth retail chains, kick-started their third and most extensive walkout of the season, calling it it "Pharmageddon."

Over 4,500 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from several&nbsp;chains, namely&nbsp;CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, participated in the movement.

The industry's biggest professional organisation,&nbsp;The American Pharmacists Association, has also expressed its support, showing accord with those participating.&nbsp;

<h2>What does the latest walkout signify?</h2>

This walkout comes as the latest in a series of actions that have affected the pharmacy industry.&nbsp;

The September 2023 walkout let to the shutdown of a dozen pharmacies in the Kansas area. The second one, that took place in October 2023 affected several Walgreens stores across the country.&nbsp;

Pharmacy employees are taking part in these protests to primarily address their ongoing struggles, calling for the need to equip stores with more personnel and resources.&nbsp;

Over the years, major pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, have continued to cut staffing levels while assigning frontline workers with overwhelming amounts of work.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-and-children-will-soon-testify-in-new-york-civil-fraud-trial-653311">Also read |&nbsp;Donald Trump and his 3 children will soon testify in New York civil fraud trial</a>

Many workers complain that the situation has gone from bad to worse after the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Additionally, most stores are also operating at half the workforce they had a decade ago.&nbsp;

The high prescription volume, vaccine appointments, rapid tests, and patient consultation calls made the situation even more pressing for pharmacy staff.

This pressure has resulted in mounting medication errors, which in turn puts the patient's safety at risk.&nbsp;

Many pharmacists are also complaining of&nbsp;long work hours that lead to exhaustion and errors.

The core demand of the walkout participants is additional staff to handle prescription filling and dispensing,&nbsp;patient vaccinations, and patient consultation calls.&nbsp;

<h2>What are the big pharmacies saying?</h2>

In response to these demands, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have all issued statements acknowledging their problems while at work and assurance that&nbsp;working conditions would improve over time.&nbsp;

CVS, for instance, carried out changes to better working conditions and patient safety after a walkout, which included additional staffing and paid overtime.

Also watch |&nbsp;Layoff fears loom over US workers despite strong economy

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/layoff-fears-loom-over-us-workers-despite-strong-economy-653344/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Walgreens responded by launching a listening tour and allowing understaffed stores to cut down on&nbsp;the number of daily vaccination appointments.

It is important to note that&nbsp;all pharmacists participating in the walkout are affiliated with major chains.

Some, like Kyara Dawbin, a pharmacy technician at Hannaford Supermarkets in Maine, have experienced similar staffing cuts and mounting pressure.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Several pharmacists across the United States, unhappy with worsening working conditions at mammoth retail chains, kick-started their third and most extensive walkout of the season, calling it it "Pharmageddon.

Several pharmacists across the United States, unhappy with worsening working conditions at mammoth retail chains, kick-started their third and most extensive walkout of the season, calling it it "Pharmageddon." Over 4,500 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from several chains, namely CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, participated in the movement. The industry's biggest professional organisation, The American Pharmacists Association, has also expressed its support, showing accord with those participating. What does the latest walkout signify? This walkout comes as the latest in a series of actions that have affected the pharmacy industry. The September 2023 walkout let to the shutdown of a dozen pharmacies in the Kansas area. The second one, that took place in October 2023 affected several Walgreens stores across the country. Pharmacy employees are taking part in these protests to primarily address their ongoing struggles, calling for the need to equip stores with more personnel and resources. Over the years, major pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, have continued to cut staffing levels while assigning frontline workers with overwhelming amounts of work. Also read | Donald Trump and his 3 children will soon testify in New York civil fraud trial Many workers complain that the situation has gone from bad to worse after the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, most stores are also operating at half the workforce they had a decade ago. The high prescription volume, vaccine appointments, rapid tests, and patient consultation calls made the situation even more pressing for pharmacy staff. This pressure has resulted in mounting medication errors, which in turn puts the patient's safety at risk. Many pharmacists are also complaining of long work hours that lead to exhaustion and errors. The core demand of the walkout participants is additional staff to handle prescription filling and dispensing, patient vaccinations, and patient consultation calls. What are the big pharmacies saying? In response to these demands, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have all issued statements acknowledging their problems while at work and assurance that working conditions would improve over time. CVS, for instance, carried out changes to better working conditions and patient safety after a walkout, which included additional staffing and paid overtime. Also watch | Layoff fears loom over US workers despite strong economy Walgreens responded by launching a listening tour and allowing understaffed stores to cut down on the number of daily vaccination appointments. It is important to note that all pharmacists participating in the walkout are affiliated with major chains. Some, like Kyara Dawbin, a pharmacy technician at Hannaford Supermarkets in Maine, have experienced similar staffing cuts and mounting pressure. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Pharmageddon’ in US: Over 4500 pharmacists begin 3-day walkout, demand better working conditions

Amazon employees staged a walkout at company headquarters in Seattle on Wednesday (May 31) to protest against changes in company’s climate policy, layoffs and a return-to-office mandate. There was a gathering of more than 100 people by afternoon near the Spheres, a glass-dome monument at Amazon’s headquarters.

"Emissions climbing. Time to act!" the group chanted. "Stand together; don't turn back!"

More than 1,900 employees had pledged to protest globally, according to the organisers, an activist group known as Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ).

"I'm out here to support everyone at Amazon who believes we can just do better. You know, we can do better on the environment, we can do better on personal choice, and family and work balance. It's real simple," said Kevin Freitas, who has worked at the company for six years."

AECJ has said that the walkout has followed moves from Amazon "in the wrong direction". The company recently removed a goal to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The company still has a broader pledge on climate for a decade later.

The e-commerce giant has also cut about 27,000 roles within the company in recent months. This comes to 9 per cent of its corporate workforce. This is quite a shift for a company that touted its job creation.

A return-to-office mandate by May 1 caused confusion for some staff as to whether they needed to relocate homes nearer to work or whether they would be laid off beforehand.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/bill-gates-has-a-doomsday-prediction-says-ai-could-kill-google-search-and-amazon-595404">Bill Gates has a doomsday prediction, says AI could kill Google Search and Amazon</a>

Brad Glasser, Amazon spokesperson, released a statement and said that the company was pushing hard to cut carbon emissions.

He added that Amazon listens to employee feedback and was happy with the collaboration that arose from its return-to-office policy.

There have been other protests in recent years, including in 2019, when Amazon workers were among hundreds of employees of large technology companies to join marches in San Francisco and Seattle, saying their employers were too slow to tackle global warming.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Amazon employees staged a walkout at company headquarters in Seattle on Wednesday (May 31) to protest against changes in company’s climate policy, layoffs and a return-to-office mandate.

Amazon employees staged a walkout at company headquarters in Seattle on Wednesday (May 31) to protest against changes in company’s climate policy, layoffs and a return-to-office mandate. There was a gathering of more than 100 people by afternoon near the Spheres, a glass-dome monument at Amazon’s headquarters. "Emissions climbing. Time to act!" the group chanted. "Stand together; don't turn back!" More than 1,900 employees had pledged to protest globally, according to the organisers, an activist group known as Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ). "I'm out here to support everyone at Amazon who believes we can just do better. You know, we can do better on the environment, we can do better on personal choice, and family and work balance. It's real simple," said Kevin Freitas, who has worked at the company for six years." AECJ has said that the walkout has followed moves from Amazon "in the wrong direction". The company recently removed a goal to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The company still has a broader pledge on climate for a decade later. The e-commerce giant has also cut about 27,000 roles within the company in recent months. This comes to 9 per cent of its corporate workforce. This is quite a shift for a company that touted its job creation. A return-to-office mandate by May 1 caused confusion for some staff as to whether they needed to relocate homes nearer to work or whether they would be laid off beforehand. Also Read | Bill Gates has a doomsday prediction, says AI could kill Google Search and Amazon Brad Glasser, Amazon spokesperson, released a statement and said that the company was pushing hard to cut carbon emissions. He added that Amazon listens to employee feedback and was happy with the collaboration that arose from its return-to-office policy. There have been other protests in recent years, including in 2019, when Amazon workers were among hundreds of employees of large technology companies to join marches in San Francisco and Seattle, saying their employers were too slow to tackle global warming. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Amazon employees stage walkout at company headquarters in Seattle

Starbucks workers around the US&nbsp;are gearing up for a three-day walkout that will start on Friday as part of their effort&nbsp;to unionise the coffee chain's stores. Over 1,000 baristas at 100 outlets, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labour union leading the operation, plan to strike. The longest strike of the one-year unionisation effort will occur this week. The second large strike by Starbucks US&nbsp;employees in the past month. On 17 November, 110 Starbucks workers went on a one-day strike. The company's annual Red Cup Day, when it provides reusable cups to customers who order holiday drinks, coincided with that campaign.

More than 264 of Starbucks’ 9,000 company-run US&nbsp;stores have been planning&nbsp;to unionise since late 2021.&nbsp;Starbucks condemns&nbsp;the unionization effort, saying the company functions better when it works directly with employees, without a union.&nbsp;But the company said last month that it respects employees’ lawful right to protest.&nbsp;

The company's first unionised location in Seattle, according to Workers United, was just shut down by Starbucks. According to Starbucks, the location was shut down for security concerns. About 50 outlets have started contract negotiations between Starbucks and the union, but no agreements have been reached.

It has been a controversial procedure. Since late last year, Workers United has filed at least 446 allegations of unfair labour practises against Starbucks with the National Labour Relations Board, alleging among other things that the business fired labour organisers and refused to engage in negotiations. The union has been accused of violating negotiation guidelines by taping sessions and posting the tapes online, according to the company, which has filed 47 complaints against the union.

So far, the labour protests&nbsp;haven’t appeared to diminish&nbsp;Starbucks’ sales. Starbucks said in November that its revenue increased&nbsp;3 per cent&nbsp;to a record $8.41 billion in the July-September months.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Starbucks workers around the US are gearing up for a three-day walkout that will start on Friday as part of their effort to unionise the coffee chain's stores. Over 1,000 baristas at 100 outlets, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labour union leading the operation, plan to strike.

Starbucks workers around the US are gearing up for a three-day walkout that will start on Friday as part of their effort to unionise the coffee chain's stores. Over 1,000 baristas at 100 outlets, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labour union leading the operation, plan to strike. The longest strike of the one-year unionisation effort will occur this week. The second large strike by Starbucks US employees in the past month. On 17 November, 110 Starbucks workers went on a one-day strike. The company's annual Red Cup Day, when it provides reusable cups to customers who order holiday drinks, coincided with that campaign. More than 264 of Starbucks’ 9,000 company-run US stores have been planning to unionise since late 2021. Starbucks condemns the unionization effort, saying the company functions better when it works directly with employees, without a union. But the company said last month that it respects employees’ lawful right to protest. The company's first unionised location in Seattle, according to Workers United, was just shut down by Starbucks. According to Starbucks, the location was shut down for security concerns. About 50 outlets have started contract negotiations between Starbucks and the union, but no agreements have been reached. It has been a controversial procedure. Since late last year, Workers United has filed at least 446 allegations of unfair labour practises against Starbucks with the National Labour Relations Board, alleging among other things that the business fired labour organisers and refused to engage in negotiations. The union has been accused of violating negotiation guidelines by taping sessions and posting the tapes online, according to the company, which has filed 47 complaints against the union. So far, the labour protests haven’t appeared to diminish Starbucks’ sales. Starbucks said in November that its revenue increased 3 per cent to a record $8.41 billion in the July-September months. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Starbucks employees gear up for three-day walkout at 100 US stores

Hundreds and thousands of journalists and employees of the New York Times (NYT) began their 24-hour strike over wage-related issues and remote working policies.&nbsp;The paper’s coverage was affected on Thursday as most of the employees who announced to walkout are from the fast-paced live-news desk, which covers breaking news for the digital paper.

Last week, the union, The NewsGuild of New York, had announced that employees of NYT would walk out for 24 hours starting at 12.01 am (local time) on Thursday unless the two sides reach a deal. Despite discussions on Tuesday and Wednesday, they could not agree to a deal.

The employees said that they were fed up with the bargaining that has taken place since their last contract expired in March 2021.

The union took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce that the walkout was happening.

"We were ready to work for as long as it took to reach a fair deal, but management walked away from the table with five hours to go," it said.

"We know what we're worth," the union added.

NYT spokesperson Rhoades Ha told The Associated Press news agency that the company has "solid plans in place" to continue producing content, including relying on international reporters and other journalists who are not union members.

Deputy Managing Editor Cliff Levy, in a note to the guild on Tuesday night, called the planned strike "puzzling" and "an unsettling moment in negotiations over a new contract."

He said it would be the first strike by the bargaining unit since 1981 and "comes despite intensifying efforts by the company to make progress."

However, in a letter signed by more than 1,000 employees, the union said that the management has been "dragging its feet" bargaining for nearly two years and "time is running out to reach a fair contract" by the end of the year.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Hundreds and thousands of journalists and employees of the New York Times (NYT) began their 24-hour strike over wage-related issues and remote working policies. The paper’s coverage was affected on Thursday as most of the employees who announced to walkout are from the fast-paced live-news desk, which covers breaking news for the digital paper.

Hundreds and thousands of journalists and employees of the New York Times (NYT) began their 24-hour strike over wage-related issues and remote working policies. The paper’s coverage was affected on Thursday as most of the employees who announced to walkout are from the fast-paced live-news desk, which covers breaking news for the digital paper. Last week, the union, The NewsGuild of New York, had announced that employees of NYT would walk out for 24 hours starting at 12.01 am (local time) on Thursday unless the two sides reach a deal. Despite discussions on Tuesday and Wednesday, they could not agree to a deal. The employees said that they were fed up with the bargaining that has taken place since their last contract expired in March 2021. The union took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce that the walkout was happening. "We were ready to work for as long as it took to reach a fair deal, but management walked away from the table with five hours to go," it said. "We know what we're worth," the union added. NYT spokesperson Rhoades Ha told The Associated Press news agency that the company has "solid plans in place" to continue producing content, including relying on international reporters and other journalists who are not union members. Deputy Managing Editor Cliff Levy, in a note to the guild on Tuesday night, called the planned strike "puzzling" and "an unsettling moment in negotiations over a new contract." He said it would be the first strike by the bargaining unit since 1981 and "comes despite intensifying efforts by the company to make progress." However, in a letter signed by more than 1,000 employees, the union said that the management has been "dragging its feet" bargaining for nearly two years and "time is running out to reach a fair contract" by the end of the year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Journalists, other employees of New York Times strike en masse for first time in 40 years

German train drivers voted to go on strike from Tuesday over a wage dispute, their union said, in a blow for summer vacationers and adding to logistics and supply woes already plaguing the industry.

The walkout will affect cargo trains from 7 pm (1700 GMT) on Tuesday, before extending to passenger traffic at 2 am on Wednesday, said the train drivers' GDL union leader, Claus Weselsky.

Some 95 per cent of union members had voted for the first round of industrial action, which is due to end on Friday.

Train operator Deutsche Bahn slammed the decision as an "unnecessary escalation on the back of rail customers".

"Just as people are travelling more again and using trains, GDL leaders are destroying the upswing that we urgently need given the huge damage from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a>," said Martin Seiler, DB board member for human resources and legal affairs.

But Weselsky argued that the GDL "intentionally chose this timeframe in the week to limit the impact on weekend and holiday traffic" and that it was "never the best time" for a strike.

He in turn accused DB managers of "lining their pockets while the little guys are getting their pockets picked."

The strike would be the first hitting rail traffic since December 2018, when a stoppage was called for four hours.

It marked a new setback at the height of the key summer vacation season for the travel industry which was only starting to recover after months of shutdown over coronavirus infection risks.

With the walkout also due to affect rail cargo,&nbsp;Germany's industrial groups already hit by supply chain issues risk seeing further delivery delays for raw materials or components from timber to steel to computer chips.

Struggle for influence?&nbsp;

The last major conflict between unions and DB occurred between 2014-2015 when GDL organised nine rounds of strikes over nine months to demand regulatory reforms.&nbsp;

The stoppage in May 2015 of six consecutive days has held the record as the longest in the company's history.

This time, GDL argues that it was fighting for a better remuneration deal for train drivers. Among its demands are a 1.4 per cent pay hike, a bonus of 600 euros ($704) for 2021, and a further wage rise of 1.8 per cent in 2022.

Deutsche Bahn had offered to phase in a 3.2 per cent wage increase in two steps but the two parties were unable to agree on when the hikes would apply.

Critics have accused GDL of using the strike to gain greater influence and attract members from larger union EVG -- which covers railway workers and public transport employees.

The fight for influence was all the more critical due to a rule coming in force this year stipulating that the collective deal negotiated by the biggest union applies across the sector.

Deutsche Bahn was already contending with huge losses as demand for travel drastically shrank over the pandemic which erupted in March 2020.

It was also struggling to rebuild kilometres of tracks destroyed by deadly floods that struck western&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;in mid-July.

German train drivers voted to go on strike from Tuesday over a wage dispute, their union said, in a blow for summer vacationers and adding to logistics and supply woes already plaguing the industry.

German train drivers voted to go on strike from Tuesday over a wage dispute, their union said, in a blow for summer vacationers and adding to logistics and supply woes already plaguing the industry. The walkout will affect cargo trains from 7 pm (1700 GMT) on Tuesday, before extending to passenger traffic at 2 am on Wednesday, said the train drivers' GDL union leader, Claus Weselsky. Some 95 per cent of union members had voted for the first round of industrial action, which is due to end on Friday. Train operator Deutsche Bahn slammed the decision as an "unnecessary escalation on the back of rail customers". "Just as people are travelling more again and using trains, GDL leaders are destroying the upswing that we urgently need given the huge damage from the coronavirus pandemic," said Martin Seiler, DB board member for human resources and legal affairs. But Weselsky argued that the GDL "intentionally chose this timeframe in the week to limit the impact on weekend and holiday traffic" and that it was "never the best time" for a strike. He in turn accused DB managers of "lining their pockets while the little guys are getting their pockets picked." The strike would be the first hitting rail traffic since December 2018, when a stoppage was called for four hours. It marked a new setback at the height of the key summer vacation season for the travel industry which was only starting to recover after months of shutdown over coronavirus infection risks. With the walkout also due to affect rail cargo, Germany's industrial groups already hit by supply chain issues risk seeing further delivery delays for raw materials or components from timber to steel to computer chips. Struggle for influence? The last major conflict between unions and DB occurred between 2014-2015 when GDL organised nine rounds of strikes over nine months to demand regulatory reforms. The stoppage in May 2015 of six consecutive days has held the record as the longest in the company's history. This time, GDL argues that it was fighting for a better remuneration deal for train drivers. Among its demands are a 1.4 per cent pay hike, a bonus of 600 euros ($704) for 2021, and a further wage rise of 1.8 per cent in 2022. Deutsche Bahn had offered to phase in a 3.2 per cent wage increase in two steps but the two parties were unable to agree on when the hikes would apply. Critics have accused GDL of using the strike to gain greater influence and attract members from larger union EVG -- which covers railway workers and public transport employees. The fight for influence was all the more critical due to a rule coming in force this year stipulating that the collective deal negotiated by the biggest union applies across the sector. Deutsche Bahn was already contending with huge losses as demand for travel drastically shrank over the pandemic which erupted in March 2020. It was also struggling to rebuild kilometres of tracks destroyed by deadly floods that struck western Germany in mid-July.

German train drivers call strike in escalating wage spat

walkout

Walkout, News on Walkout, stories on Walkout, articles on Walkout, Walkout stories at Wion, Walkout news, Walkout latest news