Unionization among marijuana retail workers is gaining traction despite pushback from larger companies. The industry’s financial instability and its interest in unionization go “hand-in-hand,” said John Cakmakci, president of United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 951.
With more than 35,000 cannabis jobs, Michigan is second in the nation behind California’s 85,000 jobs. So far, only a handful of retail employees have been able to organize with United Food & Commercial Workers labor union.
Cannabis workers have been contacting the labor union since the inception of Michigan’s industry, Cakmakci said. But less than 10 stores in Michigan have actually organized. The first was in Manistee in March 2022.
Alleged union busting efforts have put up roadblocks for workers interested in organizing. The industry has a high turnover rate and Cakmakci said workers often leave before a union vote ever comes to fruition.
Cakmakci also recognizes that the number of calls from workers was outstripping union resources as they were focused on repealing Right to Work legislation. He expects to make gains in the cannabis industry now that UFCW can re-prioritize its efforts, he said.
Read more about how workers and business see unions fitting into the cannabis industry: Unions find foothold in marijuana industry, but growth is slow
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