Fighting for fairness for budtenders

A socially just cannabis industry is possible. We’re here to make it happen. Join the growing movement of unionized cannabis workers fighting for fairness in the industry.

About

In 2020, a group of cannabis budtenders working in the Victoria area came together to confront low wages, poor treatment, and a lack of benefits, training and educational opportunities. These budtenders were passionate about helping people but wanted more fairness in the workplace and safer working conditions. That’s how was BC Bud Union was born – as an avenue for cannabis workers to fight back!

After the budtenders joined UFCW 1518 in February of 2019, they became the first dispensary workers in Canada to unionize and BCBUD became a division of 1518. Now with the power of the largest private-sector union in BC behind it, the BC Bud Union seeks to bring industry-wide protections to help grow opportunities and security for budtenders and other cannabis processing professionals like farmers, bakers, and edibles producers. But we’re not done fighting for fairness for retail workers. We are always ready to stand at your side and help you get the respect you deserve at work. Learn more about the benefits of joining a union and becoming a part of the UFCW 1518 retail division below.

Our Objectives

Fair wages

Budtenders deserve fair wages for the professionalism they put into their work. The BC Bud Union seeks to put in place pay increases for our members and regularly scheduled raises to keep up with inflation.

Benefits

We seek to gain more benefits like paid breaks, employee appreciation events, a cell phone fee for work-related use, and employer-provided first aid training.

Job security

Our members are committed to the cannabis industry and to helping people. We are seeking long-term job security for our members and better recognition of seniority.

Respect

Cannabis workers take their jobs seriously and they deserve respect from management. We advocate for advanced scheduling for our members, written contracts, and written changes to hours in advance.

Safety & Security

You need a safe work environment. We advocate for mandatory safety training for new employees, guaranteed security at entrances, and emergency exits in all new cannabis locations.

Education & Training

Budtenders are dedicated to professional development. We are seeking Sommelier training, yearly dispensary tours, lectures on growing and curing methods, and education on emerging cannabis trends for our members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take the next step: Apply to join