A group of employees at a Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) outlet in Phoenix initiated a strike last Friday, aiming to propel the company’s top brass into negotiation talks.
These protesting workers affiliated themselves with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 in June 2022, as stated by Fox 10 Phoenix. However, the workers highlight that an agreement concerning their employment contract with Curaleaf is yet to be reached, blaming the company for delaying the discussion process.
“Our expectation is for Curaleaf to engage in a discussion with us, as was expected when the NLRB mandated them to acknowledge us,” expressed Nickolas Fredrickson, an employee at Curaleaf Midtown, in a conversation with Fox 10 Phoenix. “The struggle has been ongoing for nearly two years, and a contract agreement seems distant.”
Democratic state representative Analise Ortiz also noticed the strike, offering words of encouragement to the protestors: “The initiative you all have taken today speaks greatly. When you choose to stand up like this, leaving your workstations, you are not only advocating for yourselves and your fellow colleagues but also representing every worker who has been exploited by their employers and big corporations.”
In response, Curaleaf communicated to the media channel, stating that it “values the prerogatives of the team members who decided to join a union.”
“In cases where the team members opt for such representation, we intend to maintain a sincere and professional approach while cooperating with their representatives,” the company mentioned. “Although we are inclined towards a direct interaction with our team members, we acknowledge their opinions and are prepared to engage in fair negotiations with the union heads. We understand that the well-being of our team members, the functioning of our business, and the satisfaction of our clients depend heavily on fostering a positive work atmosphere, and we are devoted to nurturing a cooperative environment where our team feels acknowledged, backed, and respected.”
Labor conflicts are not new to Curaleaf.
As per the records available online, Curaleaf is currently facing around 35 ongoing unfair labor practice complaints lodged with the National Labor Relations Board, inclusive of three pending cases against Curaleaf Midtown in Phoenix and several others targeting different Curaleaf-run dispensaries across Arizona.
The grievances related to the Phoenix Midtown establishment – documented in September 2022 but recently updated with upcoming hearing notifications – involve accusations of employee retaliation for union involvement, failure to engage in genuine negotiations, unlawful dismissals, and manipulative remarks from the Curaleaf administration.
This strike signifies the growing influence and authority of unions in the cannabis sector. Previously, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters orchestrated an approximately fortnight-long strike at various Green Thumb Industries establishments in Illinois, utilizing unfair labor practice grievances as a tool during contract discussions.
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