David Michel

I joined the United Food and Commercial Workers (UCFW) union to discuss the importance of worker protections and workforce development in the state’s newly emerging cannabis industry. It was an honor to stand with colleagues for Union jobs, with the great State Senators Julie Kushner and Jorge Cabrera, and the amazing State Representatives Robyn Porter and Travis Simms, and Mr. Luis Vega (educator/advocate). 

Last year, we passed legislation to legalize and safely regulate the adult-use of cannabis in Connecticut. The law requires all cannabis establishment licensees enter into a Labor Peace Agreement (LPA) with a bona fide labor organization as a condition of its final license approval. This guarantees our CT workers their right to unionized jobs.

The UFCW is America's largest cannabis workers union and has been representing cannabis workers in states across the country for more than a decade. They announced workforce development programs for those interested in the industry and shared how they support good-paying, secure jobs to continue career development. Lear more about these programs here.