Union's Momentum Creates Long-Term
Prosperity for Workforce
CHICAGO, Aug. 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 777 is
continuing their success in the cannabis industry by winning both a
new collective bargaining agreement and an election at Zen Leaf in
less than one week. Zen Leaf is a subsidiary of the multi-state
operator Verano Holdings.
"Illinois cannabis workers are
spreading the word that the Teamsters Union is the best cannabis
union out there," said Jim Glimco,
President of Local 777. "Every victory leads to more victories —
our momentum is unstoppable."
On Thursday, cannabis advisors and agents-in-charge at the Zen
Leaf dispensary in Rogers Park, Ill., voted overwhelmingly to
ratify their first Teamsters contract. Yesterday, workers at the
Evanston location voted
overwhelmingly to join the union.
The contract for the Rogers Park location includes wage
increases of at least 18 percent over the lifetime of the
agreement, more paid holidays and time off, employer-funded 401(k)
contributions, and protection against unjust terminations. Another
significant win was a provision that requires a successor employer
to honor the collective bargaining agreement in the event another
company takes over the operation.
"Cannabis belongs to the people, people who have paid and those
who continue to pay the unfair price for its use and possession,"
said Jesse Guice, a Local 777 member
from the Rogers Park dispensary. "As the cannabis industry has
grown, profits have been prioritized over people far too often.
Unionizing is the first step for the people to take cannabis
back."
"Teamsters collective bargaining agreements in the cannabis
industry are negotiated with the long-term prosperity of our
membership specifically in mind," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region
International Vice President and Food Processing Division Director.
"Everything we do is geared toward building middle-class prosperity
in this craft."
The Evanston location is the
fourth Verano dispensary in Illinois to be represented by Local 777.
"Cannabis is an emerging industry, and organizing as a union
ensures that the people who make the industry thrive are rewarded
with fair compensation and a true sense of a meaningful, long-term
career," said Patrick Paddock, a
budtender at the Evanston
location. "The Teamsters' commitment to both individual groups and
the advancement of labor conditions as a whole makes them a true
force in the movement to establish equity in cannabis."
Founded in 1937, Teamsters Local 777 represents workers in a
wide variety of industries throughout the Chicago area. For more information, go
to Teamsters777.org/.
Contact:
Matt McQuaid, (202)
624-6877
mmcquaid@teamster.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 777