Curaleaf Employees in Phoenix Stage Strike Demanding Fair Contract Negotiations

PHOENIX-  Employees at a Curaleaf Holdings Inc. dispensary in Phoenix took a bold step last Friday, initiating a strike aimed at pushing the company’s executives to actively engage in contract negotiations. This marks a historic movement, being the first time cannabis industry workers have engaged in a strike in Arizona.

Growing Frustration Over Unmet Contract Agreement

Having unionized with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 in June 2022, the employees lament the lack of progress in reaching a satisfactory employment contract agreement. They accuse Curaleaf of deliberately dragging its feet in the negotiation process. Nickolas Fredrickson, a budtender at the establishment, expressed the employees’ resolve to continue fighting until an agreement is achieved, citing nearly two years of ongoing efforts without nearing a contract agreement.

State Support and Company’s Response

The strike has garnered attention from local state representatives, including Democratic state Rep. Analise Ortiz, who commended the workers for their bravery and commitment to fighting not just for their rights, but for the rights of all workers exploited by corporations and employers.

Curaleaf, on its part, released a statement acknowledging the rights of its team members to union representation, emphasizing its willingness to work collaboratively with union leaders and maintain a positive work environment where employees feel supported and respected.

A History of Labor Disputes

This is not Curaleaf’s first encounter with labor unrest. The company faces a significant number of active unfair labor practice complaints filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), including specific complaints against the Curaleaf Midtown dispensary in Phoenix. These complaints, filed in September 2022 and recently updated, allege retaliation against employees for union activities, coercive statements by management, and illegal terminations, pointing to a strained relationship between the management and its workforce.

Unions Flexing Muscle in the Cannabis Industry

The incident at Curaleaf is a part of a growing trend of labor unions wielding their influence in the cannabis industry, leveraging legal and political avenues to ensure fair treatment of workers. Earlier this year, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters orchestrated a near two-week strike at various Green Thumb Industries facilities in Illinois, utilizing unfair labor practice complaints as leverage during contract negotiations.

Broader Context of Rising Union Actions

The strike reflects a nationwide trend of increasing union actions. As the US grapples with high inflation and stagnant wages, coupled with the proliferation of technology potentially impacting numerous sectors, union members across various industries, including the film, television, healthcare, and automotive sectors, have voted in favor of strikes this year, highlighting the growing unrest and demand for better working conditions and benefits.

In the face of these challenging times, the Curaleaf employees’ strike represents a call for more collaborative and respectful employer-employee relationships, fostering a work environment where workers feel heard, respected, and adequately compensated.

Photo: Megan Mendoza/The Republic