A Colorado CBD maker founded with collective bargaining in mind, Union Harvest, says it has completed organizing for workers in manufacturing, packaging and sales in Colorado and Florida.
The company says more than 10 workers at its facility Longmont are now represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7. Workers in Clearwater, Florida, are represented by UFCW Local 1625.
Union Harvest CEO Justin Eisenach told Hemp Industry Daily that UFCW representation means that his workers will have enhanced safety training and career-development opportunities, in addition to competitive hourly pay and a process to resolve grievances. He did not elaborate on the wages.
Eisenach said that collective bargaining will give CBD manufacturers a leg up as the pandemic recedes and companies jostle for talent.
“Highly skilled, highly trained workers are critical to the success of a business that wants to be a long-term player in this industry,” he said.
The Union Harvest workers join those at the Nature’s Root Labs in Longmont, also covered by UFCW representation. Union Harvest makes hemp-derived CBD softgels, capsules, tinctures, topicals and pet products sold online.
UFCW covers more than 10,000 marijuana workers nationwide.
