A New Jersey bill that would provide cannabis workers with the same collective bargaining protections as other private sector employees has been approved by the Assembly Labor Committee and now moves to the full Assembly for consideration.
Filed in April by Representatives Warne DeAngelo (D) and Reginald Atkins (D), the legislation would close a gap in labor protections by extending key rights to cannabis employees who are currently excluded from federal and state labor laws, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act.
Under the measure, cannabis workers would gain protections against unfair labor practices and would have the right to join and form labor organizations without interference. The bill gives the New Jersey State Board of Mediation new authority to address and remedy unfair labor practices within the cannabis industry. Employers would be barred from discouraging union membership or failing to negotiate in good faith, while labor organizations would also be held to standards requiring fair conduct and negotiations.
The bill also expands access for union representatives, allowing them to hold meetings on work premises and in employer-controlled housing. Employers would be required to provide lists of current employees and their contact information upon petition, and failure to do so could result in penalties of up to $5,000 per day.
Supporters say the legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring cannabis industry workers—many of whom are currently unprotected due to gaps in federal oversight—are treated fairly and have access to the same workplace rights afforded to others in New Jersey.
