Ascend Wellness Workers Secure Contract with Teamsters Local 916

Historic Labor Agreement Brings Significant Gains for Cannabis Workers

Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (771) 241-0015 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org

In a notable development for the cannabis industry, over 300 workers at Ascend Wellness's cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois, successfully ratified their first contract through Teamsters Local 916. This decision marks the end of a 24-day strike, the largest of its kind in the history of the legal cannabis sector.

JP Fyans, President of Local 916, stated, “This victory belongs to the men and women at Ascend who stood together and refused to accept anything less than a fair contract.” He highlighted the determination and unity of the workers as they fought for their rights, which led to tangible improvements in pay, benefits, and union protections.

Workers at the facility are integral to all aspects of production for one of the country's largest cannabis companies, handling everything from growing to distribution. The newly ratified contract promises higher wages, reduced health care costs, safeguards against unfair discipline, better paid leave policies, and a revamped dispute resolution process.

According to Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division, “Cannabis workers are building a powerful movement across this industry." He added that the strike has set a new benchmark for fair agreements in the cannabis cultivation and manufacturing sectors nationwide.

Local 916 Vice President Kyle Bollinger praised the workers' resilience, saying, “For more than 20 days, they stood shoulder to shoulder and their courage forced Ascend to bargain a fair contract.”

Cory Hill, an Ascend cultivator and member of Local 916, echoed the sentiment: “We went on strike because we knew the value of our work, and we knew we deserved better.” Hill believes the agreement is a testament to the power of persistence and solidarity in securing worker respect, job security, and opportunities.

Teamsters Local 916 supports over 4,000 workers throughout Illinois, with a presence spanning from Chicago and Carbondale to East Saint Louis and Champaign. For additional information, visit teamsters916.org.