Over 500 cannabis delivery operatives in California have the potential to commemorate the annual marijuana-oriented holiday, 4/20, by striking. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) labor union has reported that drivers and depot workers employed by Eaze Technologies and its plant-affiliated subsidiary, Stachs, have elected to approve a strike, as contract deliberations have reached an impasse.
Over 500 workers delivering marijuana in California have decided to go on strike, coinciding with the unofficial cannabis celebration day, 4/20. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) labor union reports that drivers and depot workers employed at Eaze Technologies and the subsidiary Stachs have authorized the strike as negotiations over their employment contract continue to be stagnant. The disagreements include the mileage reimbursement rate, worker hourly wages increment, and an asserted number of guaranteed working hours. UFCW’s Locals 5, 135, 324, and 770 workers have previously rejected the company’s proposed contract.
Eaze CEO Cory Azzalino clarified that the striking workers are presently receiving fair hourly wages of over $25, plus tips, and benefits. Eaze’s offer includes an 88% increase in base wages. However, if the cannabis delivery firm doesn’t budge on its offer, the workers have threatened to go on strike, with the starting date and end time uncertain. Eaze assured their customers that they will “maintain operations” should the strike happen, according to Azzalino. The UFCW, on the other hand, filed two National Labor Relations Board complaints against Eaze. It should be noted that such a work stoppage has been successful during the annual 4/20 event, with Green Thumb Industries experiencing a two-week strike in Chicago, eventually resulting in up to a 50% wage increase. Moreover, Sacramento drivers for Eaze voted to join the Teamsters’ Local 150, following Amuse and Nabis.