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Strikers and supporters (Union photo)
Workers at Exclusive Brands, a cannabis dispensary in Ann Arbor, have been on strike since Aug. 28, saying the company has refused to recognize workers' rights to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876 union and has fired an employee who supported the union drive.
“Exclusive Brands cares far more about turning a profit than making their stores a great place to work and grow," said Chase Leon, a striking budtender at Exclusive Brands and a member of the organizing committee, in a statement. "I’ve seen morale drop as my co-workers lose their spark and enjoyment for this work. A union would mean we have a voice on the job and empower us to love our work again."
Exclusive Brands has dispensaries in seven cities across Michigan, along with grow facilities. A manager at the Ann Arbor store deferred comment Thursday to corporate headquarters in Livonia.
Omar Hishmeh, president of Exclusive Brands, issued a statement Friday:
"Exclusive has more than 200 employees spanning retail, corporate, and processing operations. While the issue remains pending before the federal government, we want to be clear: Exclusive is not blocking any vote or action from employees. We’ve simply raised the legal question of whether the National Labor Relations Board has jurisdiction in cannabis, since cannabis remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance at the federal level.
"Ultimately, it is the federal government, not Exclusive, that decides whether an election can move forward. We believe this is a broader legal and policy issue that extends beyond our company and into how federal law treats cannabis workers."
The strike began the day after the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, in response to what it says was the unlawful firing of the employee. It also comes after the union filed a complaint with the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency, accusing Exclusive Brands of denying workers’ rights to organize.
The Ann Arbor dispensary continues to operate and, according to the union, has been offering deep discounts to customers.
Striking budtender Emily Hull, who has worked at the dispensary for three years, told Deadline Detroit they were trying to organize eight workers at the store, but three have crossed the picket line. The shop has also hired replacement workers.
She said picketers are out every day and have convinced some regular customers to go elsewhere.
Pay isn't the core issue, she said. The average full-time worker earns $15 an hour and receives health benefits.
However, workers are seeking job security and protection from retaliation when they raise concerns. Hull said that in the past, when she brought up issues, her hours were cut.
She added that the company has refused to discuss the possibility of a union election.
"All we've had is radio silence," she said.
UFCW Local 876 President Dan Pedersen in a statement:
“Workers at Exclusive Brands have made it clear that they want to join UFCW Local 876, but the company has desperately tried to silence their voices."
"The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency should examine Exclusive Brands' license in light of the company’s efforts to obstruct these workers’ rights to form a union. All workers in Michigan and across the country have the right to organize."
