Cannabist Dispensary Employees in New Jersey Vote Unanimously to Accept First Ever Union Contract

New contract includes wage increases, both future and retroactive, improved healthcare access and paid Federal holidays

WEST BERLIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, Local 360, announces that Columbia Care, Inc.’s Cannabist retail location in Deptford, NJ., has voted to ratify its first labor contract. The contract covers Dispensary Associates and Senior Dispensary Associates, and is noteworthy both because the vote was unanimous, and because its guaranteed wage increases are retroactive to March. The contract comes more than a year after Cannabist employees petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to support their push to unionize with UFCW.

Workers at Cannabist elected to unionized to ensure their rights were protected and acknowledged as New Jersey’s cannabis industry evolves and expands. That push to unionize, gave employees a voice, and critical resources from Local 360, that led directly to the development of this first contract.

“With this unanimous contract vote, workers at Cannabist have taken a big step towards a better future for themselves and for their families,” said Sam Ferraino, Jr., UFCW Local 360 president. “It’s a testament to their determination and their commitment to this industry. They deserve every congratulations.”

Columbia Care’s Cannabist dispensary in Deptford was the company’s first U.S. location to unionize. Columbia Care is currently licensed in 18 U.S. jurisdictions and bills itself as one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of cannabis products and services in the nation.

“Workers are recognizing their importance and finding their voice,” said Tom Donoghue, Director of Cannabis at UFCW Local 360. “The businesses in this industry that will flourish long-term are those that listen to them and deliver the working conditions they need and deserve.”

From seed to sale, UFCW is a recognized leader in organizing cannabis industry employees and is the official AFL-CIO-designated cannabis labor union. Representing tens of thousands of cannabis workers in dispensaries, labs, processing and grow facilities and more, UFCW works with employees and owners to build a regulated cannabis industry that delivers family-sustaining jobs and is focused on social equity.

About United Food and Commercial Workers: The UFCW International Union represents over 1.3 million hardworking families across the U.S. and Canada. These members work in essential industries such as Retail, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Transportation, the Public Sector and Cannabis.