Wendell Young IV Of UFCW Local 1776 Congratulates Three Successful Medical Marijuana Grower Applicants

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wendell W. Young IV, President of UFCW Local 1776, today congratulated three successful applicants for medical marijuana licenses in Pennsylvania, all of whom have signed Labor Peace Agreements with UFCW.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health unveiled the names of 12 groups that won grower-processor permits for the medical marijuana program. Franklin Labs in Berks County, Ilera Healthcare in Fulton County, and Pennsylvania Medical Solutions in Lackawanna County have signed agreements ensuring that their workers have the right and the opportunity to organize.

"UFCW has taken the lead nationally in the effort to make sure that this new industry provides family-sustaining jobs and safe workplaces," said Young. "We're obviously very pleased for our three partners. Governor Wolf, along with Sen. Daylin Leach and other supporters, fought long and hard to push this law across the finish line because they recognized that the state has an opportunity to help tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are suffering. Our members are ready to help."

Added Young, "We have a lot of work ahead of us in Pennsylvania and around the nation. We need to make sure that every single employer in this industry understands that they have an obligation not only to help our citizens who are suffering. They have an obligation to provide good paying jobs with strong benefits."

The UFCW in Pennsylvania has been working together with the Cannabis Workers Rising campaign of the UFCW International, whose affiliates represent tens of thousands of cannabis workers in growing and cultivating facilities, manufacturing and processing facilities, laboratories, and dispensaries. The UFCW believes that as a newly regulated market, the legal cannabis industry can offer local communities jobs with strong wages and benefits that can't be outsourced.

"As a socially responsible health care company, we believe that providing employees with fair wages and great benefits will not only help us help us recruit and retain top talent, but also enable us to provide our patients with high-quality products and compassionate care," said Kyle Kingsley, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Pennsylvania Medical Solutions. "As we expand into other states, we will continue to work with UFCW affiliates. We know that we can't be a great company without great employees."

SOURCE UFCW Local 1776