UFCW Local 152 staff attended an Ocean County, NJ Freeholder Meeting on Wednesday, February 28th to voice their support on behalf of the cannabis industry. The meeting was later reported on an article from Jersey Shore Online, and Local 152 staff were mentioned:
…[S]everal other cannabis activists had more pleasant exchanges with officials. One of them was Hugh Giordano of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 152, Mays Landing, a union that represents workers in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and other public-sector jobs. The union also represents recreational and medical “cannabis workers.” He expressed concern over the freeholders’ stance on cannabis and the negative economic impact it can have.
Cannabis is a $7 billion industry, Giordano said, and by 2020 will have created 20,000 union jobs. The medical and recreational revenue streams continue to climb and will both be worth much more in coming years. It’s a revenue stream of taxation the freeholders simply cannot ignore.
His union trains employees to work in dispensaries. With such training, these jobs are safe, Giordano argued. Just as well-paid Teamsters don’t give out cases of beer, well-paid and regulated businessmen in the cannabis industry won’t give up a good salary and benefits to give away pot on the side. His union allows cannabis workers and dispensaries to go into their credit union.
Additionally, while health and law enforcement panelists say marijuana is a gateway drug and highly addictive, Giordano has studies he can provide that say it is not.
He urged the freeholders to visit a dispensary.
On a national level, the United Food and Commercial Workers represent workers in both medical and recreational cannabis-related industries. Local 152 is committed to standing with cannabis workers to not only create good jobs, but to also represent them so that their employers pay good wages, good benefits, and fair treatment in a safe work environment.
If you work in the Cannabis industry and want to join UFCW Local 152 please contact Hugh Giordano at 609-680-5718 or contact us via our Union Interest form.
