Budtenders and shift leaders at High Profile Cannabis Dispensary in Columbia, Mo., workers at Key Cannabis Dispensary in Springfield, Mo., and employees at 16 CBD Kratom stores throughout the state all ratified their first contracts recently.
In a first for the state, High Profile Cannabis Dispensary workers, represented by UFCW Local 655, approved a collective bargaining agreement for the company’s 30 employees that locks in guaranteed wage increases, paid holidays at time-and-a-half, access to a 401(k), and a fair grievance process.
“This victory belongs to the workers who stood together and never lost sight of what they deserved,” said UFCW Local 655 President Laura Kelley. “They organized to demand fairness, respect, and a voice in the decisions that affect their daily lives. These are meaningful improvements that will make a real difference for workers and their families. We couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside them throughout this journey, and we hope their success inspires other workers across Missouri to see what’s possible when they come together to build a better workplace.”
The second groundbreaking agreement brings significant wage increases, bonuses, and additional time off to workers at Key Cannabis Dispensary, who are represented by UFCW Local 2.
Sally Powell, a retail associate at the dispensary, said the deal came after three years of bargaining. “We have been fighting for our first contract for a long time. This contract secures wage increases and bonuses that we all deserve. It also includes additional protections we didn’t have before, like stability in scheduling and very strong nondiscrimination guarantees.
“I’m so proud of our resilience, and I hope our win shows cannabis workers across Missouri that when we stand together, there’s nothing we can’t do. With our union, we have the comfort and security of not being at-will employees, and with this contract, we’ve made our voices heard and negotiated the benefits we need to thrive on the job.”
Lastly, at CBD Kratom, 40 employees across 16 stores, represented by UFCW Locals 881 and 655, signed their contract in June. That strong deal brings significant wage increases, paid holidays, and a fair grievance process.
CBD Kratom employee Taylor Moore was part of the organizing effort and said, “Our main goal for organizing at CBD Kratom was to improve pay and workplace conditions. To me, a union contract signifies that the organization works. As workers, we must unite to fight for change; it is crucial, perhaps now more than ever, that we continue to organize, not just with co-workers for pay and benefits, but with our neighbors and communities, for changes we believe in.”