Medical cannabis workers’ new contract reflects industry growth

January 17, 2017 by

ufcw1189merge2smallWorkers at Minnesota Medical Solutions, one of two companies authorized by the state to produce medical cannabis, voted unanimously Jan. 12 to ratify a new union contract that reflects – and anticipates – growth in the industry.

The three-year pact includes annual wage increases, provides premium pay for lead positions and time spent training other workers, and expands the unit’s wage scale to provide more entry-level opportunities. Workers also won more holidays and paid time off, reimbursements for mileage and travel time, and affordable health-insurance coverage.

“We are proud and appreciate being able to provide exceptional medical cannabis to our patients in Minnesota,” union steward Nathan Noel said.

The new contract currently covers 11 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1189, who work as pharmacy technicians, growers, packagers and security receptionists. The bargaining unit has grown since Local 1189 organized the company’s three workers (and negotiated a first contract) in February 2015, and it will expand soon to include two more workers, Local 1189 President Jennifer Christensen said.

“What is really important is the employer’s commitment to full-time, living-wage, union jobs,” Christensen said. “Part-time jobs do exist, but as business expands and hours become available, those jobs are transformed into full-time.

“Minnesota Medical Solutions is leading the way nationally, and it shows in the quality of products and services that our members provide for the people of Minnesota.”

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Union sees growth potential in state’s medical cannabis industry

February 20, 2015 by

ufcw1189merge2smallWorkers at Minnesota Medical Solutions, one of two firms authorized by state regulators to manufacture and dispense medical cannabis, announced today they have unionized and ratified their first contract, all in the last week.

The state’s Bureau of Mediation Services on Tuesday authorized Local 1189 of the United Food and Commercial Workers – a St. Paul- and Duluth-based union representing workers in retail, health care and manufacturing – as the representative of Minnesota Medical Solutions’ eligible full- and part-time workers.

The union announced workers’ vote to ratify their new contract in a press release today.

The Minnesota Department of Health will begin enrolling patients with qualified medical conditions – outlined in legislation passed last year – into the medical cannabis registry program this spring. Registered patients may be able to purchase medical cannabis at eight distribution facilities across the state as early as July.

Bernie Hesse, Local 1189’s director of special projects, sees potential for growth for the medical cannabis industry in Minnesota. The UFCW, which represents thousands of medical cannabis workers in seven states and the District of Columbia, projects the industry will create one job for every 10 patients.

The Minnesota Medical Solutions bargaining unit “is a handful of workers to start,” Hesse said. “But it will grow.”

Meanwhile, Hesse said, Local 1189’s efforts to organize workers at the other licensed cannabis producer, Cottage Grove-based LeafLine Labs, continue.

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