Eaze Cannabis Workers Prep for Potential Unprecedented Strike Throughout California

LOS ANGELES — On April 10, Eaze delivery drivers and depot staff were joined by supporters to hold strike-ready actions across California gearing up for a potential strike ahead of 4/20, the largest sales day in the cannabis industry. The events included picket-sign making sessions and press conferences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Buena Park and Martinez.

The strike-ready preparations follow months of unsuccessful bargaining. Last week, California cannabis delivery drivers and workers at Eaze/Stachs rejected the company’s “last, best, and final” contract offer that did not meet the worker’s key objectives, which include raising the mileage reimbursement rate, increasing hourly wages, and ensuring a minimum number of hours. The workers’ vote also authorized their union to call for a strike if necessary.

“Eaze stopped treating us with respect when they reduced the mileage reimbursement rate with no warning,” said Lori Riehle, a delivery driver out of the Silver Lake depot. “Before the reduction, I had money saved up to cover any upkeep to my car including when I popped three tires in one week. Now, living on credit cards to make ends meet, I’ve had to put off essential maintenance, feeling as though I’m paying to do this job, with no safety net if something happens to my car.”

“Eaze’s ‘last, best, and final’ offer is terrible and workers responded with an overwhelming majority of ‘no’ votes that also authorized a strike and that brought them back to the table to negotiate again,” said Ron Swallow, a delivery driver out of Eaze Van Nuys, and part of the 770 negotiating committee. “But I’m not naive. If they don’t come back with an offer that respects us, and the work we do to put money in their pockets, we will strike.”

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (LA Fed), which represents 300 unions in the county, recently voted for a strike sanction in support of Eaze workers.

UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, and 770 represent nearly 600 Eaze/Stachs workers. UFCW represents over 6,000 cannabis workers throughout California.