Marijuana workers at a Nabis warehouse in California voted overwhelmingly to unionize by joining Teamsters Local 630. Nabis is a California-based licensed cannabis wholesale platform. These 84 new Teamsters are employed as drivers and warehouse workers.
"We are dedicated to ensuring stability and ending exploitation in the rapidly growing cannabis industry," stated Lou Villalvazo, secretary-treasurer at Local 630 in Los Angeles. "Organizing and empowering workers is the key to fostering their growth into the middle class. Through solidarity and commitment, we will make these good middle-class jobs!"
Established in 1937, Teamsters Local 630 represents workers in various industries, from clerical, warehouse, professional drivers, food service, liquor, food processing, dairy and more.
Employees at Nabis filed for the election on April 20, the internationally renowned cannabis holiday. They are the third group of cannabis workers to join the Teamsters in three weeks and the third group at the company to join the union.
"Cannabis workers are becoming Teamsters at a break-neck pace because we fight hard and win strong contracts," Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International VP and Food Processing Division director said in a statement. "We look forward to doing the same thing for these workers."
As the industry develops, more employees join unions and cannabis workers conditions are changing. If you are curious to learn all about the future of the cannabis industry, join us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference this October in Chicago. Hear directly from key industry players, experts, advocates, and policymakers. Get your tickets now by following this link.
Jonathan Misquez, a warehouse associate at Nabis, commented, "The reason that I organized was to have a voice at Nabis, not only for myself but for my coworkers. "My coworkers have really helped me through a lot and taught me so much on and off the clock, so I wanted to help them receive a contract that reflects the hard work they put in every day. Iron sharpens iron, every day we all make each other better and together we proved that we are united."
Over the last several years, Teamsters have been pushing hard to unionize workers in the nascent cannabis industry. Recent unionizing efforts were undertaken across the country at major companies in 2023, including, the cannabis Company (OTCQX:CBSTF) in California, Cresco Labs CRLBFin Illinois, Grassdoor in California, and Verano Holdings Corp VRNOF in Chicago.
Related links:
Eaze Cannabis Delivery Drivers In Sacramento Join Teamsters Local 150
Nabis Logistics Platform Helps California Cannabis Brands Grow, These Two Operators Join Rooster
Photo: Benzinga edit with images by lexandros Michailidisand Oleksandrum via Shutterstock