ASCEND WELLNESS employees on strike since June 25
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By BETH ZUMWALT
More than 300 employees of Ascend Wellness, a marijuana plant in Barry, walked off the job last week, citing unfair labor practices, low wages and unaffordable health insurance. The workers are members of Teamsters Local Union 916. The employees unionized about a year ago.
A press release put out by the union said the action came after months of failed negotiations and what workers describe as continued disregard for their concerns regarding wages, health care costs and workplace fairness including overtime.
The strike follows overwhelming support from union members who have grown increasingly frustrated with working conditions and the employer’s refusal to adequately address key issues at the bargaining table.
“Ascend’s employees generate millions of dollars in revenue for this company every week, yet many of the workers responsible for that success earn only around $18 per hour,” JP Fyans, President of Teamsters Local 916 in Springfield, said. “At the same time, many workers are paying a majority of the cost of health insurance premiums, with some families paying more than $1,000 per month for coverage. Working people deserve better.”
According to the union, workers have sought a contract that provides fair wages, affordable health care, and respect on the job. Instead, Teamsters allege Ascend engaged in conduct that resulted in the filing of unfair labor practice charges and failed to meaningfully address workers’ concerns.
“This strike is about basic fairness,” Ascend Teamster Shane Widmer said. “The employees who cultivate, process, package, transport, and distribute Ascend’s products deserve to share in the success they create. They deserve family-sustaining wages, affordable benefits, and an employer that respects their legal rights.”
The strike affects Teamster-represented employees at Ascend facility in Barry, Illinois represented by Local 916. Union leadership remains prepared to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair agreement that addresses workers’ concerns and resolves the dispute.
“These workers did not choose this fight,” Fyans added. “They chose to stand together after being left with no reasonable alternative. Their solidarity demonstrates just how strongly they feel about the need for change.”
Management of Ascend say they have presented their last best and final offer.
They also plan to keep the facility open, hiring non-union workers to cross the picket line. Those workers will likely be terminated once a contract is reached and union employees are ready to return to the job.
The plant opened in 2015 as a medical marijuana facility, before recreational marijuana was made legal in Illinois. The facility is 110,000 square feet and grows cannabis and produces vaporizer cartridges and other cannabis products.
