Cannabis Workers at Eaze Prepare for Unprecedented Strike
"...we just want to be able to pay our bills on time"
By Brent E. Beltrán
In a massive display of unity and determination, cannabis workers at Eaze/Stachs across California have decisively rejected the company’s final contract offer and authorized their unions to call for an unfair labor practice strike if necessary.
Almost 600 Eaze/Stachs workers are represented by UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, and 770, throughout the state. These negotiations mark the first potential statewide collective bargaining agreement encompassing multiple UFCW Locals in the cannabis industry.
94% of the members rejected the company’s “last, best, and final” contract proposal. This shows the deep-rooted concerns and resolve of workers seeking fair wages, improved working conditions, and job security. Over 90% of the bargaining units participated in the vote, highlighting the amount of solidarity and commitment amongst the members.
One of the primary concerns driving this action is the unilateral change to drivers’ mileage reimbursements, a move that directly impacts workers’ take-home pay and financial stability. Additionally, the company's failure to provide crucial information required by law has exacerbated tensions and eroded trust.
The decision to authorize a potential strike in response to unfair labor practices reflects the frustrations of workers who have faced challenges such as reduced hours, increased health insurance premiums, and the removal of essential security measures. The nature of cannabis delivery work also presents unique safety risks for drivers, adding urgency to their demands for fair compensation and workplace protections.
Ron Swallow, a delivery driver and member of Local 770’s negotiating team from the Van Nuys depot, expressed the sentiment shared by many workers: “Our proposals are perfectly reasonable; we just want to be able to pay our bills on time.”
Kerry McCue, a San Diego delivery driver and UFCW Local 135 union steward, emphasized the workers' intentions: "No one wants to put the company out of business; we love our jobs. That is why we are fighting for fair compensation."
Negotiations have been ongoing since August 2023, with the company presenting its “last, best, and final” contract proposal on March 19. Despite this setback, the unions remain open to continued negotiations, hoping to resolve the unfair labor practices and reach a mutually beneficial agreement to avert a work stoppage.
Any potential unfair labor practice strike would be unprecedented in California's cannabis industry, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the workers' determination to fight. This righteous stance serves as a powerful reminder that workers’ rights and fair treatment are fundamental principles that must be upheld in every industry, including the rapidly growing cannabis sector.
The solidarity and determination shown by workers across multiple UFCW locals underscore their shared commitment to securing fair and equitable treatment in the cannabis industry. UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, and 770 stand ready to support their members in their quest for justice and dignity at work.
In the words of the workers themselves, this fight is about ensuring a better future for themselves, their families, and all workers in the cannabis trade.
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Brent E. Beltrán is the Communications Director at UFCW Local 135. Local 135 represents over 400 workers in the cannabis industry and more than 12,000 workers total in San Diego and Imperial Counties.