Oregon Measure 119 to decide if cannabis workers can unionize
After a 2023 bill to make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize failed to pass in the Oregon Legislature, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 took their fight to voters with Measure 119.
Miles Eshaia, a spokesman for UFCW Local 555, said the measure is part of a multiyear effort to protect workers from safety concerns, toxic chemicals and lack of proper equipment.
“It boils down to cannabis workers really should have the freedom to unionize their workplaces,” Eshaia said. “Because cannabis is still federally illegal, there’s enough confusion around it for anti-union employers to skirt the law and retaliate against attempted unionization efforts.”
If the measure is passed, cannabis businesses would be required to submit a signed labor peace agreement to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission with its licensure or renewal application.
The agreement requires the business to remain neutral when labor organizations communicate with employees about collective bargaining rights. According to the ballot summary, failure to have a signed agreement or to follow the agreement could result in penalties, including fines or the denial, suspension or revocation of a business’ license.
In 2022, the Oregon Employment Department said 7,671 people worked in the cannabis industry in Oregon.
Eshaia said some employees are paid in product instead of money, so the measure also would help keep black market marijuana off the streets by enforcing actual wages.
The measure has received endorsements from several unions and the Democratic Party of Oregon.
Eshaia said California, New York and New Jersey have enacted similar measures.
Supporters of the measure say that without protection, cannabis workers often end up in a “no man’s land” of accountability, facing unsafe conditions, wage theft and job instability with few options for recourse.
“That (lack of accountability) needs to be fixed,” Eshaia said. “This is something that’s great for Oregon, and we really want to bring Oregon out of the dark.”
No formal opposition to the measure has formed.
When House Bill 3183 failed in the Oregon Legislature, a United Food and Commercial Workers Local 55 lobbyist launched a recall effort to recall longtime state Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, who was accused of blocking the group’s efforts to pass the bill.
The recall failed by a sizable margin.
The group then took the decision to the voters, garnering enough signatures to get Measure 119 on the November ballot.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth
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