The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 is calling for the removal of Oregon House Speaker Rep. Paul Holvey after he killed a bill that would have allowed cannabis industry workers to unionize. The bill, which was supported by the UFCW, would have given workers in the cannabis industry the right to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
“Oregon workers are calling for the removal of Representative Holvey after his repeated attacks on their livelihoods,” union President Dan Clay said in a statement. “He has shown that his allegiance lies with large corporations, not with Oregonians. Voters in Holvey’s district deserve a representative who will prioritize their well-being, and they will have an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with Holvey’s representation.”
The UFCW claims that Holvey’s decision to kill the bill was a betrayal of the cannabis industry and its workers. The union argues that the bill would have helped to ensure that workers in the industry are treated fairly and have a voice in their workplace.
The debate over the bill highlights the ongoing tension between the cannabis industry and labor unions. While some in the industry support unionization, others are wary of the potential costs and regulations that come with it. Some also argue that the industry is still too new and fragile to support unionization. Despite these concerns, the UFCW has been actively organizing workers in the cannabis industry for several years. The union has successfully organized workers in several states, including California, Colorado, and Washington. The UFCW argues that unionization is necessary to ensure that workers in the industry are treated fairly and have a voice in their workplace.
