United Food and Commercial Workers Local 919 President Mark Espinosa, who also serves the Connecticut AFL-CIO as a Board Trustee, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about Senate Bill 1201, which legalized the use of marajuiana by adults in Connecticut and also required cannabis establishments to enter into Labor Peace Agreements (LPAs). He also talked about how a 2019 strike led to a major raise for workers in 2022.
UFCW Local 919 represents over 7,000 members in Connecticut.
Espinosa highlighted the benefits of S.B. 1201, which was crafted in part by one of his business agents and a state senator. One section of the law requires cannabis companies to use LPAs, which is supposed to create neutrality during any union organizing attempt.
He also explained how an 11-day strike in 2019 at a Stop & Shop Supermarket helped Local 919 sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. With the strike still fresh on the mind of management, the negotiations committee signed a four-year deal that included the largest raises in its history, no reduction in benefits and no benefit cost increases. Additionally, they won new rates and new classifications.
Listen to the entire episode to hear more about these topics.