Teamsters Local 469 Obtains First NJ Contract

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In a recent press release, Teamsters Local 469 announced that the union had ratified their first contract in New Jersey and organized a dispensary all within less than a month time period (1).

“This is a core industry for our union and a major priority for us,” Michael Broderick, Local 469 President, said (1). “We look forward to organizing even more cannabis facilities and negotiating even more contracts that deliver the respect and compensation that our members deserve.”

Less than six months prior, Garden Society members had joined the union (2). The collective agreement from the contract will help increase wages by more than 30% over three years, protections against unjust discipline and subcontracting, employer-funded retirement contributions, and increased paid time off, as well as overtime (1).

“What you're seeing in New Jersey in indicative of what you're going to see all over the country,” Jesse Case, Teamsters Food Processing Division Director, commented (1). “We're winning the best contracts in cannabis because we're the best union in cannabis.”

Only a few days after the Garden Society Teamsters obtained their first contract, the Cannabist workers made the decision in a vote to join the Teamsters Local 469 (1).

“I'm looking forward to the support a Teamsters contract will provide,” Abby Hill, one of the Cannabist workers who voted to join Local 469, said (1). “I'm excited for what the future holds for us.”

In the state of New Jersey, Teamsters Local 469 contains 4,000 members (1).

Teamsters has been involved in other states such as Maryland, Michigan, and Illinois, helping them obtain strong contracts and collective bargaining agreements to help increase the wages of workers, paid time off, provide job security, as well as safety improvements (3).

“More and more cannabis workers are rapidly realizing that a Teamsters contract brings the stability they deserve in an ever-changing industry,” Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division commented (3). “The Teamsters are rapidly becoming synonymous with long-term, stable careers in cannabis.”

“Workers everywhere deserve quality wages and working conditions,” Ryan Bennett, a Dispensary Associate Lead and Maryland Local 570 member, said (3). “As the cannabis industry rapidly grows, so should the prosperity of the workers who make it successful. The Teamsters have a strong track record of giving workers of all stripes and industries a voice on the job, and this contract is proof of that.”

References

1. Teamsters Local 469. Teamsters local 469 wins big in cannabis https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teamsters-local-469-wins-big-in-cannabis-302443050.html (accessed May 5, 2025).
2. McQuaid, M. Garden Society Cannabis Workers join Teamsters Local 469 https://teamster.org/2024/12/garden-society-cannabis-workers-join-teamsters-local-469/ (accessed May 5, 2025).
3. Colli, M. First Cannabis contract ratified by Teamsters in Maryland https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/first-cannabis-contract-ratified-by-teamsters-in-maryland (accessed May 5, 2025).