UFCW Unionizes Cannabis Workers to Create a Better Industry

cannabis workers organized by UFCW Local 360 labor union

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union has been instrumental in securing legitimacy for the industry. They have fought the worst aspects of the industry to help cannabis workers.

The UCFW started in cannabis worker organizing in California in the early 2000s during the market’s medical days. It was more of a movement at the time with the industry consisting of many small business people focused on caring for patients.

One of their locals (chapters) in the Bay area first formed a partnership with the movement. They liked cannabis and understood it from a social justice perspective. Through working with the UFCW, cannabis activists were able to secure meetings with high-level politicians to lobby them effectively. The UFCW saw the potential of the industry to create good jobs and address social justice issues. Thus, eight years ago, they began organizing cannabis workers in California. The UFCW now represents about 10,000 workers in 15 states.

Industry Problems

The UFCW’s relationship with the industry soured in Colorado after the Cole Memo was issued, even though businessmen leaned on the UFCW to pass legalization. Previously, the UFCW’s partnership had been with West Coast hippie types and people from the legacy market.

Corporate cannabis executives had backgrounds in real estate, law, or finance. These businessmen (and they were mostly men) were interested in profit more than anything else. The UFCW official noted most of them paid lip service to the benefit of unions and the virtues of the plant. There was a change in attitude from the Multi-State Operators (MSOs) Curaleaf, Acreage Holdings, iAnthus, and MedMen especially. A lot of these companies were designed to bring to maximize profit at the expense of workers and social justice. They were not interested in building a lasting company or brand. He called them “paper tigers.”

The initial pioneers of the cannabis industry are mostly gone the UFCW official said. They were driven out of business, left disgusted with how the industry developed or sold out.

Cannabis Worker Problems

In the early days, the UFCW saw cannabis workers were not getting paid, paid in cash, or cannabis itself, and sexual harassment was prevalent. Many came from the underground legacy market and did not have experience in a legitimate workplace. They were at the mercy of employers who took advantage.

Cannabis workers face the same issues as workers in other industries, such as disrespect, lousy pay, and no health insurance. They face the problem experienced by Walmart workers who are dependent on state benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps to make ends meet. When companies say they are bringing in great tax revenue to a state, they do not mention their workers are a drain on tax revenue because they do not compensate them adequately.

Health and Safety Issues Addressed

Cannabis workers specializing in growing face health and safety issues that are unreported. They often do not receive protective equipment nor safety training. Workers are often in environments polluted by chemicals that lead to deadly lung diseases. This shows that the proper containment and storage is needed to keep all chemicals in a safe environment, away from those it can cause harm to, as well as kitting out workers with full PPE. Companies in this sector can look here for storage options to make sure these needs are met.

The UFCW partnered with the health and federal safety regulators to study conditions in the industry. One study revealed extraction facilities have the worst working conditions where workers developed a deadly lung disease. There is also the issue of fire safety. Cannabis extraction using butane is dangerous. Workers in extraction are untrained and poorly compensated and often don’t have access to kits that could improve the safety of their workplace.

“There is potential for real disaster,” he said.

Chemical Problems

The application of noxious pesticides to cannabis affects patients and consumers too. Many of the pesticides are illegal. Many companies ignore safety regulations which are bad for patients and the long-term health of workers. In Colorado, most of the companies were using the chemical fertilizer Eagle 20, which is banned in the U.S. because it causes sterility in men.

The gray zone cannabis operates in is not conducive to improving conditions. It is difficult for MSOs to find quality health insurance. The plans for cannabis workers often only cover emergencies rather than checkups covered by a good policy. Many businesses have to Learn the benefits of level-funded health plans and how they can be more beneficial for both the business and its employees when compared to traditional health insurance.

“No doubt this industry is not what it needs to be for women and people of color,” he said.

Fights for Cannabis Workers

Despite facing significant issues, the UFCW has won victories for cannabis workers.

The UFCW official described a successful campaign at Garden State Dispensary in Woodbridge, NJ, that helped a couple that met there and married. In 2016, they were making $13 an hour and scraping by with public benefits. Now, they make around $20 an hour with a retirement plan and health insurance. They bought a house because the UFCW fought to make their jobs sufficient to sustain a middle-class lifestyle.

In January 2020, the cannabis workers of Cresco Labs in Joliet, IL, won the largest National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election in the industry, where they voted overwhelmingly for the union. The UFCW also won an election at the Sunnyside dispensary in Chicago. They won an election in Hannover, MA, of a Curaleaf dispensary. Most recently, they won an election at the Mayflower Medicinals dispensary, a subsidiary of iAnthus.

UFCW Grows

One of the UFCW’s advantages in organizing cannabis workers is that the majority are politically progressive and receptive to the union’s message. Many supported Bernie Sanders’ progressive platform or fought for social justice themselves.

There have been, of course, defeats. Many companies engage in union-busting tactics. In a dispensary in Brookline, MA NETA fired 53 people for forming a union. Since the Trump administration is against unions, the UFCW was wary of going to the NLRB to fight them. In New Jersey, there are strong protections within state law cannabis workers can turn to for protection. If they were to fire 53 workers for unionizing in Jersey, the MSO would lose their license.

The Need for a Union

A cannabis worker is often enthusiastic about working in the industry and accepts poor conditions. After six months, they become disillusioned and leave for a job like a waiter, which pays more or gets fired. Thus, there is a high turnover. In addition, many cannabis workers are scared of retaliation from their bosses and do not understand they can form a union.

Despite the industry’s issues, the UFCW works with the industry on legalization and the 280-E tax issue. PharmaCann, Vireo, and a couple of others were cited as MSOs more equitably minded. iAnthus was said to be improving, though they are going through a great deal of tumult.

However, they often work more with grassroots groups like NORML and patient advocacy groups. He believed the George Floyd protests have been an awakening that will affect the cannabis industry for the better.

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