More Than 300 Ascend Wellness Workers Ratify First Union Contract, Ending Largest-Ever U.S. Cannabis Strike
- Over 300 workers at Ascend Wellness's cannabis cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois, ratified their first union contract, ending a 30-day strike—the largest in U.S. legal marijuana industry history.
- The contract, approved by Teamsters Local 916 members, includes higher wages, reduced health care costs, stronger protections against unjust discipline, improved paid-time-off policies, and a new workplace dispute resolution process.
- The strike began in late June amid contract negotiations, with workers demanding fair pay, benefits, and job security, represented by Teamsters Local 916, which covers over 4,000 Illinois workers.
- Union leaders hailed the agreement as setting a new standard for cannabis cultivation and manufacturing workers nationwide, highlighting employee solidarity and success in securing better labor conditions.
More than 300 workers at an Ascend Wellness cannabis cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois, have ratified their first union contract, ending a 30-day strike that the Teamsters called the largest in the history of the legal U.S. marijuana industry.
The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 916, overwhelmingly approved the agreement on Thursday, according to the union. The contract includes higher wages, reduced health care costs, stronger protections against unjust discipline, improved paid-time-off policies and a new process for resolving workplace disputes.
Employees at the facility are involved in cultivation, processing, packaging and distribution.
“This victory belongs to the men and women at Ascend who stood together and refused to accept anything less than a fair contract,” Teamsters Local 916 President JP Fyans said. “Their solidarity compelled Ascend to deliver on pay, benefits, and protection of union rights.”
The workers launched the unfair labor practice strike in late June amid contract negotiations with Ascend Wellness Holdings, a multistate marijuana company with operations in Illinois and several other states.
Teamsters Food Processing Division Director Jesse Case said the agreement establishes a higher standard for workers involved in marijuana cultivation and manufacturing.
“This contract sets a new and improved standard for cannabis cultivation and manufacturing workers across the country,” Case said.
Cory Hill, an Ascend cultivator and Teamsters member, said employees went on strike because they understood the value of their work and believed they deserved better conditions.
“This contract proves that by refusing to give up, workers can win the respect, job security, and opportunities we deserve,” Hill said.
Teamsters Local 916 represents more than 4,000 workers across Illinois, including employees in Chicago, Carbondale, East St. Louis and Champaign.