My CVS Back Pay Battle: A Lesson in Advocacy and Accountability

When I first joined CVS Pharmacy, I started as a part-time employee grateful for the opportunity and eager to grow. After about eight and a half months, things changed. Our pharmacy lost two full-time employees, and in response, my managing pharmacist (who was also newly stepping into her leadership role) offered me a full-time position. I accepted without hesitation, believing this transition would be as simple as we were told: just a quick system update.

But that “simple” change turned into a drawn out process.

I was regularly working over 40 hours a week, fully carrying the workload of a full-time employee. Yet, I continued receiving part-time benefits. That meant 5 hrs of holiday pay vs 8hrs and no access to the full range of benefits I had rightfully earned through my hours and commitment. This went on from November 2024 through April 2025.

Eventually, a new District Leader stepped in and helped get the full-time classification corrected. While I was grateful to finally be recognized officially as full-time, there was still unfinished business my back pay for the vacation hours I had earned and was owed.

That totals 15 hours of vacation pay. And to this day, I haven’t seen a dime of it.

I’ve taken the issue to my union representative, and it’s been escalated multiple times. I was told the matter would be resolved by July 29, 2025, but that date has come and gone—and still, no resolution, no payment, no update.

So here I am, still waiting. Still advocating for what I’ve rightfully earned.

If you’ve been in a similar position, you know how discouraging it can be to feel like your hard work is being overlooked or delayed by red tape. At this point, I’m seeking advice: What would you do next?

Have you had to escalate a labor dispute through your union or company’s corporate structure? Did you end up filing a formal complaint or going through labor board channels? I’d love to hear from others navigating similar battles and hopefully, offer some solidarity to those still waiting for justice.