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On Feb. 21, about 50 workers at Marlene’s Market & Deli in Tacoma, Wash., voted to join UFCW Local 367.

Marlene’s Market & Deli was recently acquired by Lassen’s Natural Foods & Vitamins, a California-based chain. The workers decided to join UFCW Local 367 via a National Labor Relations Board election after experiencing numerous changes implemented by Lassen’s, including reduced store hours, decreased paid time off, eliminated holiday pay, and changes to health care benefits.

Standing together in solidarity under the banner “We Are Marlene’s,” the workers were determined to reclaim their workplace and ensure it remains a place of respect, integrity, and dignity, reflecting the values and commitment to community that Marlene’s has long upheld.

“I’ve enjoyed working at Marlene’s and have the upmost respect for everyone that works and shops there” said Monica Poole, who has worked at Marlene’s Market & Deli for 10 years. “We are joining UFCW 367 because we need a strong voice and deserve livable wages and affordable quality health care.”

“Marlene’s has been a staple of quality food in our community for many years,” said UFCW Local 367 President Michael Hines. “I’m inspired by the workers taking action to organize so they can continue serving the greater Tacoma area with pride. Employees now have a voice after being purchased by a larger chain, which is really what our member-driven approach is about.”

On Feb. 21, about 500 members of UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324 and 770 who work for Eaze Inc. (formerly Stachs LLC) in California ratified a new contract. This agreement ensures continued stability, fair wages, and critical worker protections at a time when the cannabis sector faces ongoing financial and regulatory challenges, and covers cannabis delivery drivers, and depot and retail staff spread across 11 locations in California.   

The three-year contract guarantees fair wages and scheduled raises retroactive to January 1, 2025, employer contributions to health and welfare benefits, an indexed mileage reimbursement rate for drivers, and successorship language to protect workers in the future. By securing these protections, the UFCW continues to provide cannabis workers with the stability they deserve, reinforcing the importance of union representation in an unpredictable industry.

Eaze union members had successfully negotiated their first union contract in April 2024, but financial challenges endemic to California’s cannabis industry, coupled with a falling out among factions of Stachs LLC’s investors, led the company to liquidate and close. In November 2024, Eaze announced $10 million in Series B funding following the acquisition of select assets from Eaze Technologies, Inc. The investment funded the reopening of 70 Eaze and Green Dragon locations across California, Colorado, Florida, and Michigan, including 57 retail stores, 11 delivery hubs, and two production facilities.

Eaze Inc. rehired a super majority of its existing workforce and recognized the UFCW in early January 2025. The company and the UFCW then swiftly negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement that minimized disruption to the business and its workforce.

“With this contract ratification victory, Eaze cannabis delivery drivers can put the uncertainty of the past few months behind us and continue to build on the union solidarity and pride we’ve been cultivating with UFCW for the last two years,” said Ron Swallow, an Eaze delivery driver out of Van Nuys. “We’re proud of the collective work we’ve done to get to this point, and will continue fighting for fair treatment for all cannabis workers.”