Budtenders at Buzz Box cannabis dispensary have formed a new independent union.
The dispensary owners granted voluntary recognition to the new United Cannabis Workers, workers announced Jan. 15.
Budtender Ethan Conrad said workers had requested voluntary recognition on Jan. 3 but didn’t receive an immediate response, so they petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Jan. 6 to hold an election. With voluntary recognition, an election is no longer needed.
The budtenders are seeking higher wages, more advance notice of schedules, and more transparency communication from management, Conrad said. Most of the workers make Portland’s minimum wage, $15.95 per hour.
The union filing came a month after the voter-approved Measure 119 went into effect, requiring cannabis businesses to submit labor peace agreements when seeking a new license or renewal. Buzz Box’s current license expires in June, so the company hasn’t needed to sign a labor peace agreement yet. But Conrad said the new law still helped the workers by showing that there was public support for organized labor in the cannabis industry.
“That made us feel more confident in unionizing,” Conrad said.
Buzz Box’s management is also affiliated with Higher Cultures, a Grants Pass-based marijuana processor.
Larger unions have organized workers at other cannabis businesses in recent years.
Conrad said a local union member who helped advise the Buzz Box workers recommended starting as an independent union, but keeping open the option to join an established union down the line if they find they’re in over their heads. The workers also haven’t yet determined if they will try to expand the United Cannabis Workers union to other shops, Conrad said.
