We’re excited to announce that on Friday, August 23rd, the budtenders and inventory staff at MPX/iAnthus in Atlantic City, New Jersey ratified their very first union contract! Congratulations!
In January, the workers elected UFCW Local 152 to be their voice on the job. A lot of time and resources are required to set the groundwork for a first contract. This first contract comes after more than eight months of negotiations.
Setting the Groundwork
With the implementation of the new three-year agreement, MPX/iAnthus workers now have basic protections established. These include:
- members are no longer “at-will” employees, meaning the employer must have a legitimate reason to terminate;
- a three-step grievance process, which is a formal procedure for employees to raise concerns or complaints about their employer or working conditions;
- clear job posting for new and open positions;
- seniority provisions to recognize senior workers with more time and experience;
- successorship language in the event of a sale/merger to protect the workers.
Through hard bargaining, we are proud to say that these MPX/iAnthus workers now have their affordable health benefits secured. This includes ancillary benefits (such as vision and dental) that they did not previously receive. Part-time workers will now have vacation time, bereavement leave, and paid holidays — benefits they did not have before this contract.
Finally, the contract guarantees great benefits for the workers including an employee discount, additional holidays, and yearly wage increases on top of a one-time ratification bonus.
Congratulations to the newest members of UFCW Local 152! This great accomplishment could not have happened without our negotiating committee, which included Director of Cannabis Peter White, Union Representative Bryan String, S.P.U.R. Tony Melendez-Mott, and worker Issy Scheel.
A Growing Industry
In the last two years, UFCW Local 152 has seen tremendous growth in the cannabis division, including the following facilities:
- The Botanist in Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic City, which became the Local’s first unionized cannabis facility with the inception of their first contract in June 2023,
- MPX/iAnthus grow facility in Pleasantville, which ratified their first contract in April 2024,
- Cultivators at Columbia Care/The Cannabist in Vineland,
- Budtenders at Design 710 in Atlantic City
UFCW is proud to be the cannabis workers’ union!
Why not you?
Are you interested in learning more about how UFCW Local 152 can help you and your coworkers? Start by learning how to form a union.
Are you in the cannabis industry and want to learn more about labor peace agreements at your facility? Email Director of Cannabis Peter White at pwhite@ufcwlocal152.org today.
