WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 16, 2020) – Workers at DC Holistic Wellness, the first 100% solely Black-owned cannabis dispensary in the District, have become the first dispensary to unionize. The workers unionized with UFCW Local 400 and voted unanimously to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement.
On Wednesday, the workers will host a press conference and contract signing event to commemorate the first union contract at a cannabis dispensary in DC:
| What: | Press conference and contract signing event for the first-ever unionized medical cannabis dispensary in the District of Columbia |
| When: | 10:30 am, Wednesday, October 21, 2020 |
| Where: | 4721 Sheriff Rd NE, Washington, DC 20019 |
| Who: | DC Holistic Wellness owner, unionized staff, union officials, elected officials |
“We’re proud to be the first 100% solely Black owned, operated and financed medical cannabis dispensary in DC,” said Norbert Pickett, owner of DC Holistic Wellness. “Now, we are particularly proud to be the first fully unionized cannabis shop in the District offering employees greater pay, paid time off, and paid holidays, as well as retirement plans, additional accredited training and health care insurance.”
“We are delighted to welcome the staff of DC Holistic Wellness to our union family,” said Mark Federici, President of UFCW Local 400. “In this emerging industry, it is critical that we establish the highest possible job standard, with living wages and comprehensive benefits. By taking this historic step, these workers have set a meaningful precedent for the cannabis industry in the District.”
The groundbreaking five-year contract covers 13 current staff and provides comprehensive benefits and union protections for the staff, including:
- Guaranteed pay increases every six months, in addition to an annual cost of living wage adjustment
- Paid time off including holidays, vacation, and personal days, as well as bereavement leave and paid time off to vote
- Just cause protection from unjust discipline or firing
- Grievance procedure to resolve disputes with management
- Robust health care benefits through the UFCW National Health & Welfare Fund
- Accredited training program
- Retirement benefits
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The United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 is led by President Mark Federici and represents 35,000 members working in the grocery, retail, health care, food processing, service and other industries in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. www.ufcw400.org
DC Holistic Wellness, the Home of Cannabliss, is the first 100% solely Black-owned medical cannabis dispensary in Washington, DC. Located in the Deanwood neighborhood, Cannabliss is also the first unionized cannabis dispensary in the District, offering employees greater pay, paid time off, and paid holidays, as well as retirement plans, additional accredited training and health care insurance. www.dcholisticwellness.com