Posts Categorized: Industries

Eight District Cannabis workers at the chain’s Hagerstown, Md.,​ cultivation facility voted to join UFCW Local 27. The employees, who work in post-production, packaging, and sorting, are seeking better working conditions, fair treatment, and a meaningful voice on the job.

The products grown at the Hagerstown facility supply cannabis dispensaries throughout the Washington, D.C., region.

The victory comes as cannabis workers gain new opportunities to organize under federal labor law. A 2026 National Labor Relations Board decision held that certain post-harvest cannabis workers are covered by the National Labor Relations Act rather than excluded as agricultural laborers.

“For too long, workers in this industry have faced barriers to organizing and standing together for better wages, working conditions, and respect,” said President Jason Chorpenning, of UFCW Local 27.

“The workers at District Cannabis are changing that by coming together and taking a stand for their future. This victory is another step forward for cannabis workers across Maryland, and UFCW Local 27 is committed to helping more cultivation workers exercise their right to organize and have a say in their workplace.”

UFCW Local 2 members working at the National Beef plant in Liberal, Kan., overwhelmingly approved a five-year collective bargaining agreement last week. The deal covers more than 2,600 workers in the fabrication, shipping, and maintenance departments and brings significant wage increases, bonuses, and additional time off.

The contract also guarantees increased investment in the plant’s Education, Safety, and Cultural Fund, along with an additional walking steward position to ensure safe working conditions.

“Our union is incredibly proud to have negotiated this collective bargaining agreement, which members made possible by trusting and supporting each other,” said UFCW Local 2 President Martin Rosas.

“We are fully committed to securing fair wages, strong benefits, and safe working conditions for all workers in the meatpacking industry. That can only be achieved through solidarity.

“This new contract is a bright spot for our members and their families after the chaos that ICE brought to our area just last month. It reflects the value they bring not just to National Beef but to the beef industry as a whole. Without their essential work, many households would struggle to put food on the table. The achievements in this new agreement belong to them.”

This ratification follows the recent approval of a five-year contract at National Beef’s Dodge City plant.