Contract Victory at The Herbal Care: A Win for Cannabis Workers on Manhattan New York’s Upper East Side

RWDSU Local 338 members at The Herbal Care achieved a strong first contract at one of the first adult-use–only dispensaries in New York State to organize and successfully negotiate a union agreement. The organizing win was supported by  New York’s labor peace law, which protects workers’ ability to unionize without fear. 

Negotiations began nearly a year ago, and continued through the challenges of a competitive, highly regulated market, including significant operating costs across the industry. The new agreement delivers guaranteed wage increases, additional paid holidays, vacation time for the first time, faster sick-time accrual,  scheduling rights and hours protections, along with robust grievance and arbitration rights. “I was happy to get the union behind us – just having representation and someone to hear our concerns,” said member Calib Wolters. 

“Getting both the pay raises and the hour minimums up has helped immensely.”  Local 338 representative Luca Negrino stated,  “We congratulate our newest members and The Herbal Care for setting a positive standard for this growing industry.”