May 5, 2015
By LaborPress
The three largest United Food and Commercial Workers locals in Ohio are all backing a proposed state ballot initiative to legalize marijuana and have a state commission regulate it.
Local 75, which represents about 18,000 workers in Cincinnati and Dayton, endorsed the measure April 29, joined by Local 1059 (representing 18,500 workers in the Columbus area) and Local 880 (representing about 21,000 workers in the Cleveland and Akron areas).
“First and foremost, we’re interested in ensuring these are jobs that pay a living wage,” Local 75 spokesperson Laurie Couch said. “It’s too soon to say we will represent these workers. It’s our hope the employers will do the right thing and make sure these are good jobs for cannabis workers in Ohio.” The initiative, sponsored by a group called ResponsibleOhio, needs 305,000 signatures to get on the Nov. 3 ballot. Read more
