On Feb. 27, about 45 workers at two Lamplighter Brewing Co. locations in Cambridge, Mass., voted to join UFCW Local 1445—marking the first brewery to unionize in the state of Massachusetts.
These workers joined our union because they were concerned about insufficient wages and benefits and wanted a voice in the workplace. The campaign to organize these workers included in-person meetings about the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract.
“We’re excited to have won our union, and now we’re all looking forward to sitting down and bargaining our first contract,” said Ryan McFarland, a lead bartender at the Broadway Lamplighter location. “Lamplighter brings people together to enjoy each other’s company over a good beer, and with a union contract, we’ll continue to deliver the welcoming atmosphere and quality that makes us special. I’m proud to work in a place where all of the staff – from production and kitchen, to the front of house and sales team, to the people who clean every morning – have a seat at the table.”
“When you work in a small business, it’s crucial that everyone gets to have their voice heard, and our union is the best way to achieve that,” said Gabe Packevicz, lead bartender at the CX Lamplighter location. “I’m looking forward to working with management to bargain for a contract that allows all of us to thrive. I’m so glad we won this election and can now move to securing our first contract. We’ll be able to negotiate wages, benefits, health care, and workplace safety that reflect the indispensable role we all play at Lamplighter.”
“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Lamplighter into the UFCW family and count them among the 12,000 workers represented by UFCW Local 1445,” said UFCW Local 1445 President Fernando Lemus. “They’re joining a union with a history of representing workers at distilleries, wineries, and breweries.”
“Lamplighter’s workers make this brewery a beloved local business with great beer served by friendly faces,” Lemus added. “We look forward to supporting them as they begin to bargain for a first contract and encourage our union members in the Greater Boston Area to stop by for a beer.”