WEST BERLIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It took just three days and the support of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360, for every worker at New Brunswick dispensary, Puffin Store NJ – https://puffinstorenj.com – to vote in favor of unionizing. Workers at Puffin reached out to Local 360 based on its expertise and prominence in the cannabis industry, and its successful effort to include a Labor Peace Agreement (LPA) mandate as a requirement for any business applying for a cannabis industry license. LPAs kick in whenever a majority of workers express interest in a bona fide labor organization, and stop employers from disrupting efforts by the labor organization to communicate with, attempt to organize and represent their workers.
“We’re all invested in the future success of this great, young company, and of this industry,” said Kirsten Bennett, who led the organizing effort at Puffin. “Unionizing with Local 360 means that we have a greater say in what that future looks like, not just for us but for our customers and community as well.”
“The workers at Puffin understand their value and importance, which is exactly why they chose to unite with thousands of other cannabis industry employees across the state,” said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360’s director of organizing. “Joining with Local 360 means more than a stronger influence at their place of work, it strengthens the entire industry and empowers workers at other companies.”
Kirsten Bennett and others also worked with Local 360 organizer Jake Pinelli and Puffin’s owners to make the organizing effort as smooth and collaborative as possible.
“The workers at Puffin are passionate about their jobs, about their customers, and about the broader cannabis business community,” said Pinelli. “They see and embrace the unique ability of unions to positively impact businesses, families and neighborhoods. That vision was a key driver in their unanimous vote.”
“Don’t wait to organize,” added Bennett. “Don’t leave yourself vulnerable. Labor Peace Agreements mean you have every right to organize free of worry or interference, which means you’re free to help yourself, your colleagues, and your community.”
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, delivery, manufacturing, processing, grow facilities and more, UFCW works with employees and business owners to achieve the shared goal of 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.
