- WeedMD (TSXV:WMD) has issued a response to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union over its call for cannabis industry unionization
- The UFCW said that it had been documenting complaints from workers regarding health and safety
- Cannabis workers in Ontario are considered agricultural employees under the Agricultural Employees Protection Act
- WeedMD supported the right to unionize, but said the allegations were baseless
- WeedMD (WMD) is currently up 4.65 per cent to C$0.45 per share, with a market cap of $86.34 million
WeedMD (TSXV:WMD) has issued a response to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) over its call for cannabis industry unionization.
According to an article published by The London Free Press, the UFCW has been fielding complaints from cannabis workers regarding health and safety.
London, Ontario-based WeedMD currently employs more than 200 workers at its operations in Strathroy, Aylmer and Bowmanville.
The employees’ alleged grievances included elevated carbon monoxide levels in grow rooms, pesticides being sprayed on plants while workers were present and overcrowded rooms. It was also claimed that an employee was fired for helping to organise the union drive.
Currently, cannabis workers in Ontario are considered agricultural employees and fall under the provincial Agricultural Employees Protection Act.
However, the UFCW claims that this violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by failing to protect the freedom of association rights for workers.
In today’s response, WeedMD noted that the UFCW is aware of the cannabis industry’s agricultural classification, and that businesses in the industry are subject to the Agricultural Employees Protection Act.
WeedMD further stated that the UFCW’s arguments have already been considered and rejected by the governing body under the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMFRA).
“WeedMD is aligned with OMFRA in that UFCW Canada’s continued attempts to mischaracterize employers in the cannabis sector is disingenuous.
“Furthermore, its allegations against WeedMD are unfounded and without merit,” the company said.
That said, WeedMD expressed its support for the workers right to unionize, citing the unfounded complaints as its only concern.
“WeedMD is in good standing with all regulatory bodies that are responsible for investigating claims under Health Canada; the Ministry of Labour; and the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” the company continued.
Earlier this year, WeedMD was nominated by its workers for a “Best Place to Work” award offered by London Inc. Magazine, which it subsequently won.
WeedMD (WMD) is currently up 4.65 per cent to $0.45 per share at 1:17pm EST.