On June 23, workers at Columbia Care, a cannabis cultivation facility in Vineland, New Jersey, ratified their first union contract, capping off a years-long journey of determination and persistence.

“We are proud to have helped these workers overcome numerous setbacks. These folks ultimately ratified a first contract that protects their interests, charts a path for future gains and rewards their hard work in a meaningful way,” UFCW Local 152 President Daniel Ross, Jr. said.

Members in the cultivation department voted overwhelmingly to accept their contract, which delivers on many of the priorities workers had when they first sought union representation back in November 2022.

“These workers never gave up despite an atrociously long road to their first contract,” President Ross said. “Through all the delays brought on by the employer, Local 152 stood with these workers to ensure they had their seat at the table and won their first contract.”

Anti-union tactics did not deter the union

Columbia Care workers finally organized with Local 152 in 2023 after first expressing interest in union representation the year prior. Local 152 was forced to engage in a protracted legal process for recognition as the employer opposed Local 152’s effort to have the New Jersey State Board of Mediation certify the bargaining unit. Columbia Care argued that the employees may or may not have been “agricultural workers” under federal labor law. Local 152 was forced to seek a determination from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in an unnecessary and lengthy process.

“This was a classic anti-union stall tactic meant to stifle workers’ momentum to organize,” President Ross said.

The NLRB eventually found that the employees were not under its jurisdiction. New Jersey law and regulations in the cannabis industry permit all cannabis workers to organize regardless of whether federal labor laws apply. The New Jersey Board of Mediation eventually certified the unit, finally allowing these workers the opportunity to negotiate with their employer.

Planning for the future of cannabis workers

This unnecessary delay in negotiations spurred Local 152 to pursue NJ Bill A4182, which received bipartisan sponsorship. If approved, A4182 will simply close this loophole and clearly afford cultivation workers in New Jersey the same rights to the organizing process as all other workers who are not protected by federal labor law, regardless of whether a Labor Peace Agreement is in effect. A4182 passed the final stage of approval by the New Jersey Assembly on June 30 with bipartisan support. Its Senate counterpart, S3139, is now awaiting a vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Positive change for Columbia Care workers

“We are proud to have helped these workers overcome numerous setbacks. These folks ultimately ratified a first contract that protects their interests, charts a path for future gains and rewards their hard work in a meaningful way,” President Ross said.

Congratulations to these workers, especially those on the negotiating committee, for weathering the storm of the legal battle and negotiations. Your commitment to making Columbia Care a better place to work has paid off! This included Bargaining Representative Peter White, Union Representative Tony Melendez-Mott, committee members Dalton Godfrey, Ethan Davis, and Michael O’Neill, and other workers who played a part at getting this contract to the finish line.

Why not you?

Are you interested in learning more about how UFCW Local 152 can help you and your coworkers? Are you in the cannabis industry and want to learn more about labor peace agreements at your facility? Learn how to start a union or email Director of Organizing Mike Thompson at mthompson@ufcwlocal152.org today.