Monthly Archives: November 2019

On November 21, more than 100 Massachusetts workers at Sira Naturals, Inc. became the first in the state’s cannabis industry to reach an agreement on a union contract by voting to join UFCW Local 1445.

Key priorities for these workers include workplace safety, good pay, affordable health care, parental leave and retirement security. More than two-thirds of the workers— including 85 at the Milford cultivation and manufacturing facility, plus another 30 at its dispensaries in Needham and Somerville — voted to join UFCW Local 1445.

“As the cannabis industry continues to grow, the UFCW is proud to support these good jobs and good businesses that empower their workers in this new part of our economy,” said UFCW Local 1445 President Jeff Bollen. “It is exciting to see a company’s management proactively support the right of its employees to organize the way Sira has. This is truly a case of a forward-thinking company and union coming together to build a strong foundation for tomorrow’s workforce.”

Adam Schneider, who helps lead production at Sira’s Milford facility and was one of the company’s earliest employees, voted to join Local 1445 because it would offer workers protections and representation in a fast-changing industry.

“Now if anything happens to me, instead of going to the higher-ups and hoping they listen, I can go the union and have them fight for me and escalate it if they need to. Someone has your back,” Schneider said.

The agreement sets a new standard for relationships between company management and organized labor in the emerging regulated cannabis industry.

About nine out of 10 Americans celebrate Thanksgiving and think it is an important time to spend with family and friends. But in order for the rest of us to enjoy that time, there are still many workers clocking in to keep our communities running.

To help make sure UFCW members feel appreciated during this especially busy time of year and to give customers an opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions our members make, the International has produced a new communications toolkit that local unions can use for their holiday outreach to members and their local community.

The focus of this year’s materials is on the incredible dedication of our hard-working members who help ensure families in their community can celebrate with their loved ones. Materials include:

• Share graphics;
• A video guide for gathering testimonials;
• A Hustle script for reaching out via text message;
• Op-Ed and Letter to the Editor templates; and
• Email blasts.

In our UFCW family alone, we have dedicated, hard-working members in places like hospitals, grocery stores, and retail locations who sacrifice time with their loved ones every year to make sure the rest of us still have access to the things we need for the holidays.

“My dad worked grocery for over two decades,” said UFCW International Facebook page fan Victor Román in response to a recent post thanking our UFCW members who are working this Thanksgiving. “I recall times we had to have dinner later so he could join us, or earlier so he could leave for his shift. I never take for granted, when I do have to go to the store on a holiday, the service the clerks and cashiers are providing me. While I would have preferred that my dad stay with us the entire Thanksgiving day, I’m glad that at least he got paid extra for providing his employer time that is priceless to us. That extra pay, I’m sure, was in large part due to negotiations that the UFCW had made on behalf of their members.”

Román wasn’t alone in expressing his gratitude for those working over the holidays. “I work at a grocery store that is represented by the UFCW, and have worked my share of holidays,” said Todd Gustafson in a Facebook comment.  “And I do appreciate all my fellow sisters and brothers, who along with myself, have spent time away from their family so others could spend time with theirs.”

If you are interested in learning more about the holiday resources available to highlight our members’ contributions, please contact Amy Ritter at aritter@ufcw.org.

Throughout the season, we will be collecting stories of service and sacrifice to the community involving our members, whether it be braving inclement weather to get the job done, organizing a toy drive, or just bringing holiday cheer to those around them. If you would like to nominate a UFCW member to be interviewed or submit a story, please contact Maura Pond at mpond@ufcw.org.