Monthly Archives: January 2024

Over 25 workers at the High Profile cannabis dispensary in Columbia, Mo., joined UFCW Local 655 on Dec. 15.

These workers voted unanimously to join our union because of concerns about insufficient wages and benefits. They also wanted a voice in the workplace.

The campaign to organize these workers included in-person and Zoom meetings and Whatsapp group chats for the entire group. UFCW Local 655 organizers also called, texted, and had check-ins with the workers; held worker-led pre-negotiating meetings; and circulated a worker petition listing all the workers who were planning to vote “yes” prior to the election for transparency purposes. The workers also wore visible union buttons and stickers throughout the campaign.

“Never in my 37 years working on staff and organizing have I had a unanimous board vote,” said UFCW Local 655 President David Cook. “By a vote of 25 to zero, these workers supported unionizing with UFCW Local 655. The employer challenged six worker votes, but they were our supporters too, and it would have been 31 to zero. This industry of workers knows what they want at the work site and that is union representation with UFCW Local 655, and we are happy to work for them to improve their lives. Local 655 is rolling in the cannabis industry in Missouri!”

UFCW Local 655 also represents workers at the Shangri-La cannabis dispensary in Columbia.

UFCW Local 1059, in coordination with the International, recently held a training for organizers and Special Project Union Representatives (SPURs) in Columbus, Ohio.

The training, which took place from Jan. 16 to 18, was attended by six UFCW Local 1059 SPURs. The training focused on enhancing organizers’ engagement with members and potential members and refining their organizing skills and highlighted three key topics: how to better engage workers through reflective engagement; how to make effective home calls; and how to assess workers and handle challenges.

The “Reflective Engagement” segment of the training helped UFCW 1059 SPURs to engage with workers thoughtfully, actively listen, and understand their concerns to build trust and strong connections. The “Making Effective Home Calls” segment focused on helping participants make home visits more impactful by growing personal connections with workers, addressing their concerns and strengthening solidarity. The “Assessing Workers and Handling Resistance” segment helped participants to develop strategies to identify the skills and strengths of workers and gain tools to effectively handle any resistance, ensuring a constructive approach to challenges.

“There is no better advocate of the power of workers coming together in the UFCW than union workers themselves,” said UFCW Local 1059 President Randy Quickel. “This was a great opportunity to educate, train, and ultimately grow our local union.”

“I was surprised by how engaging and interactive these three days were,” said UFCW Local 1059 Organizing Director Mark Dersom. “D.J. put on an excellent training, and I can’t wait to get started with our SPURs!”

If your local is interested in holding a similar training for organizers and SPURs, contact D.J. Totty in the International’s Organizing Department at dtotty@ufcw.org.