Medical Marijuana Growers Join Teamsters Union

[Kadie]

Sep 20, 2010 10:09 am US/Pacific
Medical Marijuana Growers Join Teamsters Union

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) ― As organized labor faces declining membership, one of the country's most storied unions is looking to a new growth industry: marijuana.

The Teamsters added nearly 40 new members earlier this month by organizing the country's first group of unionized marijuana growers. Such an arrangement is likely only possible in California, which has the nation's loosest medical marijuana laws.

But it's still unclear how the Teamsters will safeguard the rights of members who do work that's considered a federal crime.

"I didn't have this planned out when I became a Teamster 34 years ago, to organize marijuana workers," said Lou Marchetti, who acted as a liaison between the growers and Oakland-based Teamsters Local 70. "This is a whole new ballgame."

The new members work as gardeners, trimmers and cloners for Marjyn Investments LLC, an Oakland business that contracts with medical marijuana patients to grow their pot for them.

more...
http://cbs13.com/health/medical.marijuana.teamsters.2.1921867.html

[mike_c]

1. solidarity!

:smoke:

[librechik]

2. BCT(and M)GM Workers Forever!

Bakery, Confectioner, Tobacco and Grain Mill Workers-- (AFL/CIO) (hubby's a member for over 20 years)

Let's add another MG in there!

[jmowreader]

3. I have to know...

What atrocities would a MARIJUANA FARM inflict on its workers, that they'd want to unionize?

To paraphrase Fat Freddy Freak, "what more could anyone ask for, than to work for a marijuana farm?"