Cresco Labs In Joliet Approves 1st Union Contract: 'I Am Excited'

JOLIET, IL — Employees at Joliet's Cresco Labs on Centerpoint Way are now getting paid more, have a higher company 401K match and lower health insurance rates as a result of approving their first-ever cannabis union contract, according to Local 881.

“I am incredibly proud of the Cresco Joliet employees for showing unity in the face of adversity. It has been a long journey for this contract,” said Jessica Olson, bargaining committee member and Joliet facility coordinator, in Wednesday's news release. “I am excited that we now have a clear expectations, guaranteed raises, and procedures for our employees. This is the first cannabis contract in the state of Illinois, and I am honored to be a part of history.”

According to Local 881, the contract for the more than 180 workers at Cresco Labs was ratified on Dec. 31. Joliet's marijuana cultivation center is represented by Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

"After nearly a year of negotiations, the workers rejected Cresco’s first proposal presented in November. Returning to the table, negotiations resumed, and the union was successful in negotiating wage increases, more paid leave, a higher 401k match, lower health insurance rates, an increased employee product discount, a robust grievance procedure, and stronger seniority protection language," Local 881's news release proclaims.

Last January, Cresco Joliet employees became the first cannabis workers to win their union election in Illinois and they voted to join with the 34,000 other Local 881 members across the state.