Cannabis Workers at Commonwealth Alternative Care, in Brockton, MA, Vote Union Yes!

Brockton, MA– Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local Union 328, which represents nearly 10,000 workers in a variety of industries in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, announced that the hardworking team of PCA (Patient Care Associates) and Inventory Clerks employed at Commonwealth Alternative Care in Brockton, Massachusetts, won their union election after voting 11 to 2 to join UFCW Local 328. The workers formed their union with a focus on securing workplace protections, higher wages, and gaining benefits that will allow them to thrive in the industry.

Niko O’Brien, a PCA at the Brockton location who helped lead the organizing effort in Brockton, stated after the win, “During my interview, I was told that our motto at CAC is “pivot”. This is in reference to that one scene from Friends, where Ross yells at Chandler to pivot the couch they are carrying up a narrow NY apartment stairwell. The interviewer explained that because the cannabis industry was so new and becoming increasingly competitive, things or processes that work well one day might not work as well the next, therefore we have to pivot and change course. While I believe that change is sometimes necessary to be the best we can be, I believe that workers’ rights and respect should never be pivoted on.” He also added, “I’m looking forward to negotiations for our contact so we can finally have some consistency in our ever changing industry.”

Leanne Ferrara, a PCA at the location, said, “The union means advocacy, taking care of the individuals that need it most, not the rich getting richer. I’ve taken on the role of advocate for many years now within the confines of the public school system, and I find that role of advocate to be an important one that’s not to be taken lightly. I look forward to the future with my amazing colleagues at CAC.”

Julie Nobrega, another PCA, added, “We have learned that when you STAND TOGETHER, no matter how small your crew may be no one can defeat you. You don’t have to feel despair. You can put feelings into action and when you see the bond that develops amongst your team when the wheels are in motion, the amount of pride and validation you feel is incomparable.”

Mike Santos, Director of Organizing with UFCW Local 328, said, “We are incredibly proud of the workers at CAC in Brockton for sticking together despite the company’s effort to stop them from forming their union. By forming their union, they will be joining a growing movement of cannabis workers across the country, who are standing together in solidarity to create long lasting sustainable jobs.”

The workers at Commonwealth Alternative Care join a growing movement both locally and across the country of cannabis workers coming together to ensure that workers have a collective voice in this continuously growing industry. 

BACKGROUND:

On Monday, July 1st, the hardworking PCA’s (Patient Care Associates) and Inventory Clerks employed at Commonwealth Alternative Care in Brockton, Massachusetts, delivered a signed letter to Chief Financial Officer Christopher Kelly requesting the company to respect their decision to form their union. After Commonwealth Alternative Care declined to voluntarily recognize their union, the workers filed for their union election. The company proceeded to host multiple meetings in an effort to get workers to vote no, but the workers continued to stick together throughout the election process.

On July 25th, an election was held on site at 1090 West Chestnut St. in Brockton, Massachusetts. The National Labor Relations Board counted the ballots and found that the workers had voted “Union Yes!” securing their win in an overwhelming 11-2 victory.

UFCW Local 328 is a leading advocate for Massachusetts and Rhode Island cannabis workers. In May 2024, cultivators and trimmers at Mayflower Medicinals in Massachusetts filed for their card check to secure unionization. Budtenders at Sweetspot Medical and Recreational Dispensary in Rhode Island also requested recognition to unionize and currently have an election scheduled for August.

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UFCW Local 328 represents nearly 10,000 workers in a range of industries across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. As the recreational and medical cannabis industries have become mainstream across the United States, the UFCW has represented workers in cultivation and retail operations nationwide and has fought to ensure that working families have a seat at the table to secure important workplace protections and share in the gains and success of the cannabis industry. The UFCW currently is the largest representative of cannabis workers with tens of thousands of members in the industry nationwide.