Posts Categorized: Cannabis

Cannabis workers at Cultivate Holdings in Leicester, Mass., recently voted to join UFCW Local 1445 for the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract. These workers joined our union family because they wanted to improve working conditions through collective bargaining, achieve standardization of their relationship with management, and have access to better health care.

Cultivate Holdings workers celebrated this hard-earned win as they join our union family.

“This is just not a victory for cannabis workers at Cultivate, but for all cannabis workers. We’ve set a precedent by working collectively that enables us not only to survive, but to thrive,” said Craig Chaplin.

“I’m very happy about this union because it feels good to believe in this job as a long-term career, especially now that the industry has been classified as essential. I want to grow in my job while we grow in the field,” said Amy Hopkinson.

“The UFCW applauds Cultivate for its commitment to agricultural workers and is justifiably encouraged by their inclusion as part of those workers who will benefit from organizing this emerging industry,” said UFCW Local 1445 Secretary-Treasurer Fabricio DaSilva.

Workers at Mayflower Medicinals in Holliston, Mass., joined UFCW Local 1445 on July 8 for the better wages and benefits that come with being a member of our union family.

The 40 workers joined UFCW Local 1445 because they were concerned about insufficient wages, as well as an unclear and slow response to workplace safety issues by the company in relation to the current COVID-19 health crisis, and a lack of respect by management for the work that they do at the company’s grow facility. Mayflower Medicinals is owned by iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.

“As the cannabis industry continues to grow in Massachusetts, UFCW Local 1445 is proud to support these good jobs and the responsible employers that empower their workers in this new part of our economy,” said UFCW Local 1445 President Fernando Lemus. “These workers at Mayflower/IAnthus are an important role in the company’s success and they deserve the protections and security of a union contract.”

In 2019, more than 100 workers at Sira Naturals, Inc. in Milford, Needham and Somerville became the first in the state’s cannabis industry to reach an agreement on a union contract by voting to join UFCW Local 1445. And this month, about 60 New England Treatment Access, LLC (NETA) workers in Franklin, Mass., voted to join UFCW Local 1445.