Cannabis workers at CannaCraft, and Sonoma Lab Works in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently joined UFCW Local 5 to strengthen their jobs and build a better life. Additionally, UFCW Local 5 ratified the first union contract for Sonoma Lab Works employees on June 16. These victories set a precedent for even more cannabis workers to unionize in California and across the country.
The 80 workers at CannaCraft, who manufacture cannabis flowers and convert them into oils and liquids that are used in cannabis products, joined our union family for the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract. The 20 workers at Sonoma Lab Works, which is a premier cannabis testing lab, are employed as scientists, engineers and office staff, and their new contract includes wage increases, increased vacation allowances and holidays, as well as a $500 bonus.
“We are excited about these cannabis organizing victories and we feel that CannaCraft manufacturing, Sonoma Lab Works, the customers, and the workers will all be better off with these agreements,” said UFCW Local 5 President John Nunes in a press release. “Currently, we are working on three promising cannabis organizing campaigns and are looking forward to continuing to help more workers in the industry win a union.”
This UFCW cannabis worker victory was highlighted by the Press-Democrat, the largest California newspaper north of San Francisco. In addition to CannaCraft and Sonoma Lab Works, UFCW Local 5 represents workers at Grupo Flor, Urbn Leaf, Vallejo Holistic Health Center, and Urbana cannabis dispensaries.
