In cannabis, unionization is frequently seen as a way for a business to demonstrate legitimacy, however, not all companies are supportive of unionizing efforts.
With unionization becoming ever more common in the cannabis industry, Labor Day 2020 provides an opportunity to take a closer look at the state of cannabis labor unions in the U.S.. Across industries, labor unions organize members and offer access to group health insurance, provide legal compliance and other assistance, help negotiate annual raises and higher wages, and often provide discounts through partner businesses.
The International United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW- working not just in the representation of businesses, but advocacy, coalition-building, and policy change), is regarded as the most powerful cannabis union in the country, initiating a Cannabis Workers Rising Campaign in 2010. As of March 2020, UFCW represented more than 10,000 workers in 14 states.
United Cannabis Workers, which “unionized as an independent workers union made up of small business owners, self-employed workers, and employees of small cannabis businesses”, eschews “old school union tactics” while holding a significant place in the cannabis union landscape. This landscape is differentiated from that of other industries in that it normalizes companies disclosing the fact that their employees are organizing.
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