Pharmacists join segregation lawsuit against Walgreens

By Matt Green

Published on August 02, 2005

Three pharmacists petitioned to be part of the seven-state suit filed originally on June 20. The amended petition names a current Walgreens pharmacist in Missouri and two former pharmacists -- one in Texas, the other in Florida.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and a court order ending a "pervasive policy" of racial discrimination.

Walgreens officials won't comment on the lawsuit. But they said the Deerfield, Ill.-based company promotes diversity and enforces a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination.

The lawsuit contends Walgreens managers steer blacks to work in stores with mostly black or low-income customers. These stores have lower profits, so black workers often miss out on promotions and pay raises tied to store sales.

The suit also says blacks are passed over for promotions despite seniority, work experience and qualifications.

The allegations clash with Walgreen Co.'s track record of helping black-run organizations, such as:

• The Detroit chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Houston's Ebony Music Society Inc.
• Expo for Today's Black Woman in Chicago

Plaintiff lawyers are seeking class-action status against the store chain, which has more than 4,800 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.

Comment on this article →