--- title: Teamsters Local 777 organizes Chicagoland cannabis dispensaries description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. James Glimco from Teamsters Local 777 joined us on today’s show. image: https://awf.labortools.com/hubfs/teamsters%20blue%20mic.jpg --- 1 min read Season 5, Episode 167 # Teamsters Local 777 organizes Chicagoland cannabis dispensaries [ awfblog ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) August 21, 2024 [America's Work Force Union Podcast](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/americas-work-force-union-podcast) [AWF](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/awf) [Teamsters](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/teamsters) ![AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_teamsters](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_teamsters.png?width=400&height=400&name=AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_teamsters.png)   Guest Name: --- James Glimco Guest Website: --- [Teamsters Local 777](https://www.teamsters777.org/)  Guest Social Media: --- [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/teamsters) [ Twitter](https://twitter.com/Teamsters777) [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/) [ LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/) Supportive Documents: --- James Glimco, President of the [International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 777](https://www.teamsters777.org/) in Lyons, Ill., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about organizing cannabis dispensaries in Chicagoland and why employees in the industry face working conditions similar to those found in startup companies. After Illinois legalized recreational marijuana use and sales, cannabis dispensaries became a hotbed for potential labor violations. Glimco discussed the changing attitude toward marijuana and why Local 777 seeks to organize area cannabis workers. He said employers are taking advantage of their employees, and it is the union’s goal to protect those workers and ensure they get paid a living wage and can safely do their jobs. Cannabis industry workers are facing conditions similar to those found in startup companies. Glimco explained what workers are being asked to do and why there are constant changes in the growing industry. With these changes, he is hopeful the union can assist in stabilizing the workplace and establish a pathway for employees to have a career in the industry. Four area Zenleaf locations have been organized. Recently, workers at the fourth location voted for union representation through Local 777. Glimco talked about the major issues they face during negotiations that are unique to the cannabis industry, as three of the four locations have achieved a first contract despite the sticking points. He added that the next step would be to get workers at the fourth Zenleaf location under contract as they seek better healthcare coverage and improved wages. Listen to the show above to hear more from Glimco. --- America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues. America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ##### SUBSCRIBE ON: --- [![Group 342](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png?width=171&name=Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/id1511224946) [![Group 341](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Spotify%20Button-Dark.png?width=100&name=Spotify%20Button-Dark.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/0GzkHxFSBxiXvuX0lZpQBn) [![Group 343](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20343.png?width=135&name=Group%20343.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast-62567752/) [![Group 339](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20339.png?width=110&name=Group%20339.png)](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/PC:47979) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20397.png?width=125&name=Group%20397.png)](https://americasworkforceradiopodcast.podbean.com/) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube_button.png?width=125&name=YouTube_button.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQo1PAtRAel1_tS7-PQOkA)   #### [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/brotherhood-of-railroad-signalmen-on-the-union-pacific-merger-threat) : July 6, 2026 # Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat Brandon Elvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen](https://www.brs.org/),... 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