Vireo Bargaining Update 11-6: Economics

On October 30, November 4, and November 5 the Union Committee and the Company met again to try to find a resolution to the contract. At the end of the day on the 30th, the Union presented its first economic proposal. The committee feels that this proposal was ambitious but reasonable, considering Vireo's apparent success in the market since the last contract. The proposal was for changes to the wage scale, including market adjustments for production/CSRs/custodians, and an across-the-board increase of 7% each year to the scales and to over-scale for a two year contract. The proposal also included increased holiday pay, more holidays, shift differential at the grow for nights and weekends, more leads in retail, and an increase to the employer's contribution for healthcare. 

While we knew this is a big proposal, this was also a pretty moderate request considering how well the company has been doing and how high inflation has been. However, the company did not see it that way and came back on November 4 with a proposal for just 1.5% each year for three years, no additional leads, no market adjustment for CSR, and only $17 for production. 

We have gone back and forth with the company, but they have made it clear that while they are doing well in Minnesota, they are not doing as well everywhere and they think workers in Minnesota are already "above market," or paid more than other cannabis workers. Their last proposal is only for 1.75% for two years. This would be between $0.29 and $0.59 more per hour the first year, with an average of only $0.33. 

Our latest proposal is $2 in the first year and $1 with an increase if recreational sales begin, plus some other material improvements. We think this is extremely fair, but the company has essentially told us we are unrealistic in our expectations.

Read the latest proposal from the company here and read the latest proposal from the Union here

We will be distributing buttons to all locations to express to management and customers that we are unhappy with the company's economic offer. You have a legal right to wear these buttons as long as it does not post a safety hazard. 

For more information on your right to wear a button, here is an article from the National Labor Relations Board: https://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/board-rules-workplace-policies-limiting-wearing-union-insignia-including

If there are questions about your right to wear the buttons or you are told not to, contact Claire immediately at cvandenberghe@ufcw1189.org or (763) 321-4276