DES PLAINES – Not only are union activists pushing worker organization at blue state McDonald's, they're demanding workers in pot companies organize, just as Illinois is counting down to recreational legalization on January 1, 2020.
From workers at the Des Plaines'-based Cresco Labs, a press release was issued Monday am:
Workers at Cresco Labs, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, are organizing to be represented by Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). Cresco owners rejected the request to recognize Local 881 at their grow facility in Joliet, IL. In response, Local 881 has filed a petition for election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Workers at Cresco in Illinois report that the Company initiated a full anti-Union campaign against them the moment they started their organizing campaign. Local 881 has charged Cresco with committing numerous violations of federal labor laws. The unfair labor practices committed by Cresco are intended to intimidate and coerce the workers from exercising their federal right to organize. Charges filed by Local 881 include:
- Interrogating workers who are pro-Union
- Unlawful coercion of workers by conferring benefits
- Soliciting workers grievances
“The cannabis industry is about to grow enormously in Illinois,” said Steve Powell, Local 881 President and UFCW International Vice President. “it is very disappointing to see Cresco lowering the standards and expectations of jobs in this industry.”
The workers at Cresco Labs in Illinois believe joining the Union will help improve their working conditions. Many of the workers compare the conditions at Cresco to a bad factory. “I would like to unionize Cresco for better pay, a voice at work, better benefits and a better work environment,” said Natajsha, a Cresco employee, “Just because you work in an industry that you are passionate about doesn’t mean you should to be paid less!” Workers will no longer tolerate Cresco’s second-rate working conditions, including:
- Low wages
- Inadequate health plan
- Unpredictable schedules
- Ignored PTO requests
- Lack of respect
“We worked very hard to pass legislation for medical use and worked even harder to pass recreational use,” said Representative Lawrence Walsh Jr. of the Illinois 86th District. “It is a betrayal to all of us that believe in the opportunities of the cannabis industry, when we hear that Cresco has engaged in anti-union activity and refused to recognize the wishes of their workers.”
The workers want to address and fix these issues with their employer as the industry grows. Local 881 is committed to helping Cresco workers organize and improve their working conditions. Local 881 will fight to ensure that their rights and dignity are respected.
No comment from Cresco Labs has been made public yet.
