United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 announced that workers at the NJ Leaf dispensary in North Brunswick have voted to unionize. This is the second NJ Leaf to unionize, the first being in Freehold, following FRESH Cultivation in Somerset.
NJ Leaf owner Ritesh Shah supports the decision.
“This vote reflects what we’re seeing across the state — cannabis workers know their value and want a real say in their industry’s future,” said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360’s director of organizing.
“Workers take pride in their expertise, in great customer relationships and in developing a safe, responsible and sustainable cannabis marketplace. The choice to stand with Local 360 is a major step toward long-term success for them and for NJ Leaf.
“(Employees) in the cannabis industry understand that sustainable success for businesses, employees and communities starts with fair treatment for all parties involved. That idea is what union membership is all about and what has convinced so many industry workers to join Local 360.”
“We’re ending the year on a remarkably strong note, welcoming another NJ leaf site into the Local 360 family,” said UFCW Local 360 President Sam Ferraino, Jr.
“Despite the challenges facing cannabis workers, the North Brunswick team’s decision reinforces what we’ve said all along — stronger unions mean stronger industries and stronger communities.”
UFCW is a recognized national leader in organizing cannabis industry employees and is the official AFL-CIO-designated cannabis labor union.
Across the U.S., UFCW works with employees and business owners to achieve the shared goal of a regulated cannabis industry that delivers family-sustaining jobs and promotes social equity.
