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Cannabis Workers Want Respect!

More and more workers are choosing to join the growing IL Cannabis Union!

For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL – Cannabis workers continue to fight to improve working conditions in the cannabis industry as companies report billions in sales. Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) has recently filed petitions for Union elections at two dispensaries, including, Windy City Cannabis/Curaleaf in Chicago and Ascend Cannabis Dispensary in Springfield, Illinois. The National Labor Relations Board has announced that the workers at Windy City will participate in a mail-in election, with votes scheduled to be counted in late March.

Workers at these two dispensaries understand that it is up to the employees to improve working conditions in the cannabis industry. The workers realize they cannot afford to wait for corporations to address the rampant issues in the workplace. These two locations may be located in very different parts of the state, but they share a common goal of converting cannabis ‘jobs’ into real sustainable careers with the respect they deserve.

The Windy City Cannabis/Curaleaf and Ascend workers are organizing to gain:

    • Better wages and benefits
    • A safer workplace, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
    • A voice at the table to create clear policies and procedure and the ability to address workplace issues
    • A grievance structure
    • Respect in the workplace

“We spoke up when our hours were cut. We spoke up when our paid holidays were taken away. We spoke up about safety concerns, COVID protections, and clarity when someone in our building tests positive. And we were ignored!” reported Eric, an employee from Ascend Cannabis in Springfield. “Some of us were harassed, censored, and intimidated for speaking up. A Union will give us a voice that will be heard!”

“A Union contract will protect our future as workers, and benefit future employees as the cannabis industry expands throughout Illinois,” said Anne, an employee from Windy City Cannabis on Weed St. in Chicago. “Workers will get to have a say in wages, working conditions, COVID measures, and more. Unionization is the only way to truly hold an employer accountable for its promises and obligations to employees.”

“We are the face of this company. We are the reason for its sustained and continued success,” said Jon, an employee from Ascend Cannabis in Springfield. “Our ability to have a voice will guarantee us a future in this business, which is something we all have worked very hard for.”

“Unionizing isn’t just about the issues of the present, but about our future within the cannabis industry. Large corporations make hundreds of millions in annual revenue, while the essential workers on the front lines are barely walking away with scraps from the table. This is not only about us, but also any individual that wants to create real change in the cannabis industry.” said Austin, an employee from Windy City Cannabis on Weed St in Chicago.

“Our Local Union continues to support cannabis workers because they deserve so much better,” said Steve Powell, Local 881 UFCW President. “We all know how well the cannabis companies are profiting. This is great news for our state, but not if the employees are not benefiting from the unbelievable profits. We call on Windy City Cannabis and Ascend to do the right thing and respect their employees’ wishes to join our Union.”

Cannabis workers across the state are joining with Local 881 to make meaningful change to the cannabis industry in Illinois. At the end of 2020, workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, voted overwhelmingly to ratify the first Cannabis Union contract in Illinois. Local 881 was successful in negotiating wage increases, more paid leave, a higher 401k match, lower health insurance rates, an increased employee product discount, a robust grievance procedure, and stronger seniority protection language for the Cresco Joliet workers. The Illinois cannabis industry produced over $1 Billion in record sales last year, and can afford to improve the wages, benefits, and working condition for industry employees. Local 881 is committed to ensuring that the cannabis industry lives up to the promises it made to the communities when it lobbied for their support for legalization. For more information about the fight to improve the cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Cresco Joliet Cannabis Workers Vote YES for First Union Contract!

For Immediate Release

Joliet, IL – Workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, voted overwhelmingly to ratify the first Cannabis Union contract in Illinois on December 31, 2020. Over 180 workers at the Joliet cultivation center are represented by Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Union for Cannabis Workers.

After many Zoom meetings throughout the pandemic, Cresco Joliet workers remained united in their desire and fight to make their Cannabis industry jobs real careers. After nearly a year of negotiations, the workers rejected Cresco’s first proposal presented in November. Returning to the table, negotiations resumed, and the Union was successful in negotiating wage increases, more paid leave, a higher 401k match, lower health insurance rates, an increased employee product discount, a robust grievance procedure, and stronger seniority protection language.

“I am incredibly proud of the Cresco Joliet Employees for showing unity in the face of adversity. It has been a long journey for this contract.” said Jessica Olson, Bargaining Committee member and Joliet Facility Coordinator. “I am excited that we now have a clear expectations, guaranteed raises, and procedures for our employees. This is the first cannabis contract in the state of Illinois, and I am honored to be a part of history.”

“Negotiating a first contract under normal conditions can be brutal, but the added challenges of a pandemic, makes this ratification even more impressive,” said Steven Powell, President, Local 881 UFCW. “We knew Cresco workers had the courage and determination to make this a reality. We are also aware that cannabis workers around the state have been watching how the Cresco Joliet workers have fought and organized for this Union contract. We know this will encourage other Cannabis workers to join the movement to improve this industry!”

Last January, Cresco Joliet employees made history by becoming the first Cannabis workers to win their Union election in Illinois and voted to join with the 34,000 other Local 881 members across the state. These workers continue to set positive precedents for the entire Illinois cannabis industry. The intent of the Illinois recreational legislation was clear; to have good, well-paying Union jobs in the industry. The Illinois cannabis industry produced over $1 Billion in record sales last year, and can afford to improve the wages, benefits and working condition for industry employees. With a Union contract Cannabis jobs can be family and community supporting careers with good wages, healthcare coverage, and dignity in the workplace. Local 881 is committed to ensuring that the cannabis industry lives up to the promises it made to the communities when it lobbied for their support for legalization.

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Sunnyside Lakeview Dispensary Workers Vote Union Yes!

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Today workers at the Sunnyside dispensary in Chicago won their election, by an overwhelming majority, and will join Illinois’s Cannabis Union, Local 881 UFCW. The dispensary, owned by Cresco Labs, employs 40 people and is located in the Lakeview neighborhood.

The workers faced an unusually long wait to receive the results of their election, originally petitioned for on April 3, 2020. The National Labor Relations Boards originally ordered that the election would be held by mail-in ballot instead of in person voting. However, the pandemic caused the vote count to be postponed multiple times.
“The entire process has tested everyone’s resolve, but we came through in the end,” said Nicholas Stankus, a Sunnyside employee. “This group is proud to be the first cannabis dispensary workers to unionize with Local 881 UFCW and participate in the growth of Illinois’s cannabis industry.”

The workers at Sunnyside, are the first dispensary workers in Illinois to win a Union election. They were motivated to Unionize in order to improve their working conditions. Workers cited issues such as a lack of professionalism from management, unclear workplace policies and procedures, a slow and inadequate response to the challenges of the coronavirus, and a growing culture of disrespect for workers.

“The workers at Sunnyside are a great example of what happens when workers stand together and fight for what they want,” said Local 881 President Steve Powell, “This was a long wait, but better careers are worth fighting for. Our Union is proud of these workers and looks forward to negotiating a contract that will be worth the wait!”

Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the UFCW, which is proud to represent tens of thousands of cannabis workers across multiple states. UFCW members in the legal cannabis industry work in growing and cultivating facilities, manufacturing and processing facilities, and also in laboratories and dispensaries. Local 881 made history in January 2020, when over 100 workers at the Cresco Labs grow facility in Joliet, IL voted to join Local 881. Sunnyside is the national retail brand of Cresco Labs. Cresco operates seven Sunnyside locations throughout Illinois.

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Dispensary Workers Seek to Join a Growing Union Movement After Encountering a Culture of Disrespect

For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL – In three separate dispensaries across the Chicagoland area, cannabis workers are seeing a disturbing trend of disrespect from their respective cannabis companies. Dispensary workers are seeking to improve their working conditions, both for themselves and for their patients/customers, by filing for Union Representation elections to join Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

The dispensaries which independently are seeking to join the Union, represent anywhere from 15-30 workers at each location, including:

    • MedMen—Evanston workers filed their petition on April 17, 2020.
    • Nature’s Care—Rolling Meadows workers filed their petition on April 20, 2020.
    • Sunnyside (owned by Cresco)—Chicago (Lakeview) workers filed their petition on April 3, 2020.

Despite different locations and companies, the workers are facing very similar issues in their workplaces. Workers cite a lack of professionalism, no clarity in the policies and rules in the workplace, a slow and inadequate response to the challenges of the Coronavirus, and a growing culture of disrespect for workers. The dispensary workers are tired of working in facilities with little protections and direction from their companies. Here are just some of the issues the workers are dealing with:

    • The workers are paid low wages, despite generating huge company profits.
    • The companies have provided inadequate worker protection in the midst of the COVID pandemic. As essential workers, serving the public, they are advocating for hazard pay, extended paid sick leave, and the proper personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
    • Job classifications are not respected ‒ some employees do more advanced work of leads but are paid as lower level associates.
    • Erratic and constantly changing work schedules, create a chaotic environment for the workers. Sometimes they are given less than a week advance notice of schedule changes.
    • Bait & switch practices during hiring: many of the workers were recruited with the promise of working a full-time position, but instead were only offered part-time.

“We want a Union to create a strong new leadership bringing all dispensary employees professional, safe, and fair working conditions,” said Mary Jo, from Nature’s Care in Rolling Meadows.

“I am organizing with Local 881 UFCW because I want to work in a safe workplace and improve the conditions for myself and my co-workers,” said Luke, an employee at MedMen in Evanston. “Under the current crisis, MedMen has been very slow to protect us, and as essential workers, we are not getting hazard pay.”

“If management did our job, they would understand we are not compensated enough and they would see why we need to join the union!” said Ricky, another MedMen Evanston employee.

“Sunnyside Lakeview Wellness advisors are interested in unionizing in order to hold Cresco accountable to the basic employment agreements and company policies offered to them at the at the time of hire,” said Patrick, a Sunnyside Lakeview employee.

We are committed to lifting the standards for cannabis workers in Illinois. We know that these companies can do better by their employees. We are proud to support the efforts of these workers to organize and Unionize to improve their workplaces. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with these essential workers to win their Union election and we will fight to ensure their rights and dignity are respected.

Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the UFCW, which is proud to represent tens of thousands of cannabis workers across multiple states. UFCW members in the legal cannabis industry work in growing and cultivating facilities, manufacturing and processing facilities, and also in laboratories and dispensaries. Local 881 made history in January 2020, when over 100 workers at the Cresco Labs grow facility in Joliet, IL voted to join the Union.

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Contact: Teresa Ramirez-Gonzalez, Local 881 Director of Organizing
[email protected] | 630-254-3090

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Cresco Joliet Workers Vote Union Yes!

Workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet

Joliet, IL  – Today workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, voted in an election, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, to be represented by Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). The overwhelming majority of the employees made history by becoming the first Cannabis workers to win an election in Illinois and will join with the 34,000 other Local 881 members across the state.

“Congratulations to the new Local 881 members at Cresco in Joliet who have set a positive example ‒ for the entire state of Illinois and the cannabis industry at large ‒ of what can happen when workers come together to improve their working conditions,” said Steve Powell Local 881 President and UFCW International Vice President. “It takes strong resolve on the part of workers to stand up and demand a real voice on the job. Our Union is proud of these workers and looks forward to standing with them to negotiate and demand a fair and just contract that will improve their working conditions.”

This election is precedent setting for the entire Illinois Cannabis industry. With only two weeks into the legalization of cannabis in Illinois, the Cresco workers are sending a message that the cannabis industry lives up to the promises it made to the communities when it lobbied for their support. The intent of the Illinois recreational legislation was clear; to have good, well-paying Union jobs in the industry. With a Union contract. cannabis jobs can be family and community supporting careers with good wages, pensions, healthcare coverage, and dignity in the workplace.

The workers were supported throughout the organizing campaign by both Congressmen Foster and Kelly, numerous local legislators and religious, labor, and community organizations. The workers were specifically encouraged by a supportive tweet from Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. As comments of solidarity from supporters around the country flowed in, the workers resolve increased. “Unions give us a way to be represented as a collective, to give everyone a voice. They help us to be heard by the big wigs of corporations. Every employee is treated fairly, and you don’t have to ‘know someone’ to get ahead,” said Jaclyn Taylor, a Cresco employee and Union supporter.

“Our commitment to the Cresco workers in Joliet is unwavering and we are here to fight to ensure that their rights and dignity are respected in the workplace,” said Moises Zavala, Local 881 UFCW’s Director of Organizing. “We want to see the standards and expectations of jobs in the Illinois cannabis industry raised and the working conditions improved for all cannabis workers.”

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Job Summit to Showcase Job Opportunities in Emerging Market of Medical Cannabis

UFCW Local 881 and Monticello Pharmaceuticals team up for Job Growth in Illinois

For Immediate Release

Champaign, IL  – Medical Cannabis is one of the newest industries in Illinois and many are wondering what type of jobs will formulate in our state. For those interested in a job in one of the nation’s newest fields, medical cannabis, you will get a first look at what to expect in this emerging market. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881 in conjunction with prospective cultivator, Monticello Pharmaceuticals, is hosting the Central IL Medical Cannabis Job Summit to be held on Saturday, December 13 from 9am – 11am at Parkland Community College, Tony Noel Agricultural Technology Applications Center, 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL, in room W115.

With the potential to add many jobs in Illinois, there is an immediate need to start developing and recruiting a strong workforce. “UFCW is a national voice for medical cannabis workers. We are instrumental as a key leader in coalitions and advocacy groups to provide quality jobs in the medical cannabis field. Since this industry is so new, we understand the importance of providing educational sessions, like the Job Summit. We are working diligently across the state to provide clear, comprehensive information so this industry can thrive and good jobs can be created.” says Ron Powell President, Local 881 and UFCW International Vice President.

The Job Summit is the first step toward educating and developing this workforce. Attendees will hear from speakers, including Julie Prom, Director of Operations for Cannabis Advisors Institute. Speakers will provide valuable information on Illinois regulations, job opportunities, and workforce skills necessary for success in this new industry. The summit will also deliver awareness on cannabis cultivation safety and symptom-based benefits for patients.

“Working with the UFCW Local 881 to communicate and develop our local workforce is key. It’s our philosophy to build a strong workforce with the knowledge, skills, and tools to further our mission to be a best-in-class producer of medical cannabis. This Summit is just one part of our collective work with UFCW Local 881 to build good jobs, develop a strong Apprentice Training Program, and standardized curriculum for the State of Illinois.” said Kara Demirjian-Huss, Human Resources and Community Affairs Director for Monticello Pharmaceuticals.

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries.  Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s Fresh Market, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Pinnacle Foods, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments.  Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.