The August 24th signing ceremony of UFCW Local 21 and the adult-use cannabis retailer Have a Heart made history as the first contract between a union and an adult-use cannabis retailer in the state. Have a Heart is a recreational and medical marijuana retail operation which operates five stores in Washington. The event was covered by local CBS and ABC TV stations, The Seattle Times, Bloomberg, and other news outlets.
The three-year contract, which currently covers 134 Have a Heart employees, improves wages and benefits and provides the workers with a voice in the workplace. The new agreement also includes comprehensive health and welfare coverage and other benefits, as well as trainings, mentoring programs and staff-development opportunities. Most impactful to growing our union, the employer agreed to a union recognition process for new facilities in Washington and around the country.
“This relationship is quite unusual in a very positive sense,” said UFCW Local 21 President Todd Crosby. “It’s rare for an employer and their employees to reach a first contract so quickly and one that is so promising for its current and future employees. These partnerships strengthen individuals, families and communities – and lead to superior service for customers.”
“At Have a Heart, we believe in ‘doing good,’” said Have a Heart CEO Ryan Kunkel. “We consistently strive to have a positive impact in the neighborhoods where we do business, and we see our partnership with UFCW 21 as part of our commitment to creating a safe and empowering workplace.”