Sira Naturals, Inc., one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis providers in Massachusetts, announced that its employees are set to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1445 (UFCW Local 1445), which will make Sira Naturals the first cannabis company in Massachusetts to unionize its work force.
Sira Naturals offered employees the opportunity to organize under the UFCW Local 1445 banner. The company’s management team worked with representatives from UFCW to ensure Sira’s employees were able to meet independently with the union. The agreement sets a new standard for relationships between company management and organized labor in the emerging regulated cannabis industry.
“Every single one of our employees is fundamental to our success,” said Sira Naturals’ founder and President, Michael Dundas. “As the largest cannabis union in the country, we believe UFCW will be a strong partner in paving the way for a new generation of union agreements that reflect the importance of a strong and independent labor force in the cannabis industry.”
“As the cannabis industry continues to grow, the UFCW is proud to support these good jobs and good businesses that empower their workers in this new part of our economy,” said Jeff Bollen, President of the UFCW Local 1445. “It is exciting to see a company’s management proactively support the right of its employees to organize the way Sira has. This is truly a case of a forward-thinking company and union coming together to build a strong foundation for tomorrow’s workforce.”
“We are excited about partnering with the UFCW and are hopeful that other Massachusetts cannabis companies will join us in recognizing the importance of an organized workforce as we build this new industry together,” added Dundas.
About Sira Naturals
Sira Naturals, Inc. is one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis providers in Massachusetts. It operates a medical marijuana cultivation and product manufacturing facility in Milford as well as three retail medical marijuana dispensaries in the communities of Cambridge, Somerville and Needham. Sira Naturals is a mission driven organization dedicated to the provision of premium cannabis, sustainably grown and sold with integrity. For more information, visit siranaturals.org.
About UFCW Local 1445
UFCW Local 1445 is part of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in cannabis, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. UFCW’s members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. UFCW is affiliated with the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) and the AFL-CIO. Learn more about the UFCW at http://www.ufcw.org.
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