Support legislation to improve cannabis workers’ jobs, safety

Important hearing Thursday in Olympia; be there and/or contact  legislators

OLYMPIA (Jan. 22, 2020) — For years, Washington workers have fought for safe workplaces, good jobs and the right to join together to negotiate a fair return on their work. Now, workers in the state’s newly emerging cannabis industry are joining that fight as they work hard to legitimize and professionalize their industry — and to make these jobs good ones.

And that is making some cannabis business owners furious. They are doing everything they can to block legislation to establish some workplace standards that will promote a safe, stable cannabis industry in Washington state.

HB 2361 and SB 6393, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds) and Sen. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma) respectively, would require that cannabis companies commit to safety, equity, and workers’ rights on the job to operate in Washington. Business owners can choose where to make these investments, including through offering health care and living wages, implementing strong policies around workplace safety and equity in hiring, or honoring a labor peace agreement or collective bargaining agreement with their workers.

TAKE A STAND — Cannabis workers need your help. Tomorrow — Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 a.m. — the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee is hearing SB 6393. UFCW 21 and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is asking that all labor allies come to Olympia for Thursday’s hearing and show their support to these workers by signing in PRO, testifying, and sending a clear message to legislators: a stable workforce starts with workplace standards.

Can’t be there on Thursday? Click here to send a message to your state lawmakers in support of this important legislation.