On Feb. 14, cannabis workers at the Valley Wellness dispensary in Raritan, N.J., joined UFCW Local 360 for a better life.
The 13 full- and part-time budtenders and leads joined our union family via card check because they were concerned about insufficient wages and benefits and wanted a voice in the workplace. Many of these workers had worked for unionized cannabis facilities before and were well aware of the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract.
Organizers from UFCW Local 360 and other cannabis workers represented by the local met with the workers to discuss the benefits of belonging to our union family. Organizers also attended the grand opening of the store and other events as a way to get to know the workers. UFCW Locals 360 and 152 represent workers at Verano NJ, a medical cannabis company in Branchburg, N.J.
“We wanted to join the UFCW because we know that if we do not stick together, our voices would be drowned out,” said Valley Wellness dispensary worker Matthew Group. “It was important to not only have a voice regarding wages and working conditions, but a true voice in the industry.”