The UFCW Local 360 labor union and the Teamsters union Local 469 recently announced that cannabis workers at Fresh Elizabeth, Plantabis, and Garden Society voted to join them.
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 union recently announced that cannabis workers at Fresh Elizabeth LLC dispensary in Elizabeth voted to join them.
“Fresh is lucky to have such committed employees,” said UFCW Local 360 Organizing Director Hugh Giordano. “This vote is an investment in the future of the company. And tells executives that its workforce is ready to work as partners in its long-term success.”
HG credited the transparency and openness at the heart of UFCW’s ‘Cannabis Workers Rising’ campaign for its success.
According to the union, workers enjoy better wages, protection from unfair rules, access to benefits, and training opportunities through UFCW membership. So thousands of New Jersey’s cannabis workers in dispensaries, labs, kitchens, growing manufacturing, processing facilities, and delivery have joined them.
“We’re seeing a new generation of workers embrace the obvious benefits of unions,” HG noted. “Labor membership means more opportunities for success, a brighter future for workers, families, communities and employers, all built by a diverse, skilled and committed workforce.”
Fresh Elizabeth won the annual dispensary license needed to open from the NJCRC in January.
The company did business in Colorado and Delaware before coming to Jersey. That would make it a small Multi-State Operator (MSO).
Like many ambitious companies, Fresh wants to be vertically integrated and control the process of growing, processing, and selling cannabis. They also want a chain. So, they opened a second Jersey dispensary location in Eatontown in Monmouth County. They won the Eatontown dispensary license in June. However, they had some legal issues there it seems.
The UFCW also organized the local woman owned Plantabis dispensary in Rahway in Union County.
On its website, Plantabis touts its “belief that community is at the heart of our success,” as well as its determination to “stand up for what’s right.” A minority and woman-owned company. The company also promotes its commitment to “fostering a positive impact beyond our dispensary doors.”
“Voting to join Local 360 is the most powerful way workers can show their commitment to a business’s long-term success,” Giordano said. “It’s workers saying they want to be a part of realizing the potential they see in a company. Success and growth for their employers is a major part of that. But so are family-sustaining careers and inclusive community improvement initiatives.”
“The need in New Jersey’s cannabis industry for strong union leadership is great and will only grow in the foreseeable future. More and more people are coming to that same realization as outside influences continue to peddle their anti-worker nonsense. Local 360 has the expertise, the track record, and the resources to push back. Which is why our organizing momentum continues to build,” UFCW Local 360 President Sam Ferraino, Jr. said.
Garden Society manufacturing workers voted overwhelmingly to become the first cannabis workers in New Jersey to join Teamsters Local 469. The 40 newest members of the union cook and manufacture cannabis products.
“Garden Society workers made their voices heard loud and clear that they want Local 469 to represent them in winning the strong contract they deserve,” said Michael Broderick, Local 469 President.
“Garden Society workers, and all cannabis workers in New Jersey, deserve nothing less. Local 469 is proud to be in the fight alongside these workers,” he added.
According to the Teamsters, they have won more than 30 collective bargaining agreements for cannabis workers across the country. It launched its effort to organize the cannabis industry three years ago,
“Cannabis is a nascent and unpredictable field. And by creating a level of stability in the craft that only comes with a Teamsters contract, our union is creating the best pathway possible for prosperous careers in the industry,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division.
“I’m excited for what the future holds now that we have a union,” said Beverly Hayes, a Garden Society worker who voted to join Local 469. “We’re on our way to getting what we deserve!”
According to their website, Garden Society also operates in California and Ohio, making them an MSO. They say they make Jetty and Kiva products. The Garden Society website says they are a woman-owned brand based in California that began in the wine industry.
They won their annual manufacturing license needed to open from the NJCRC in January after first winning a conditional license in October 2022.
