Prices Up 50%, Wages 'Barely Moved,' Says PharmaCann Worker And New Teamster Member

Workers at PharmaCann, one the largest US vertically integrated cannabis companies, joined Teamsters Local 337 after workers at Michigan’s facility voted overwhelmingly to unionize.

"The cannabis industry is at the forefront of the modern labor movement, and we are incredibly excited to welcome our newest members into the Teamsters," stated Todd Lince, president of Local 337. "This vote is the first step to ensuring workers get the compensation and benefits they deserve. Together, we can turn these jobs into careers."

The 59 newest members of Local 337 are responsible for the logistics, distribution and manufacturing of Pharmacann products. The Teamsters already represent the company's retail workers in Illinois, but the Warren, Michigan facility is its first production facility to join the union. It's also the first cannabis operation in the Detroit metro area to affiliate with the Teamsters.

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"As we continue to make inroads at dispensaries and cannabis processing facilities across the country, we're setting an example for everyone in the industry," stated Jesse Case, director of the Teamsters food processing division. "Pharmacann members in Illinois get regular pay increases, protections against unjust termination, a fair process for scheduling, and many other benefits that we'll be demanding when we go to the bargaining table with cannabis Teamsters in Warren."

Amberlin Stark, a cultivation technician and new Teamster said that while prices rose nearly 50% in 15 years, their incomes have barely moved. "If corporations' compensation has gone way up, but our wages haven't, how is this a fair exchange? As Teamsters, we are going to correct this injustice."

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