Local Cannabis Union Ratifies Its First Contract, Setting Up A 'Strong Foundation For Continued Achievements'

UFCW Local 152 members at Acreage Holdings’ The Botanist ACRDF ACRHF dispensaries in Egg Harbor and Atlantic City, N.J. voted overwhelmingly on June 21 to ratify a bargaining agreement with their employer, making it the first of its kind for cannabis workers at the local union.

The three-year agreement calls for raises as well as ratification bonuses and improved health benefits. The base salary for new hires is increased and all members at both Botanist locations have access to the grievance process through their union.

“This strong first contract is the culmination of months of hard bargaining on behalf of our members,” Local 152 president Brian String stated. “The unity displayed by these workers was crucial to our success and sets a strong foundation for continued achievements.”

UFCW Local 152 represents more than 60 workers at The Botanist across the two locations. Members grow, harvest and process cannabis and sell it in several forms at their retail spaces. Customers can seek assistance from the experts at either location to find the products that meet their medical needs.

UFCW’s recent activity in the cannabis industry includes:

• Workers at Valley Wellness in Raritan, NJ., voted in March to unionize as members of UFCW.

• Employees at Curaleaf’s CURLF Edgewater, NJ., dispensary voted to organize as members of United Food and Commercial Workers, in October.

• Workers at the Trulieve TCNNF North Shore medical cannabis dispensary voted to join Local 1776 in September.

Photo: Benzinga edit with photos by Bits And Splits and Oleksandrum on Shutterstock