Eaze Drivers Act as Negotiations Stall: Petition Demands Fair Treatment
By Brent Beltran / UFCW San Diego / Feb . 22, 2024
The workers at Eaze, a leading state-wide cannabis delivery company, are taking a stand as negotiations with UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, and 770 for a statewide master agreement slow down. When the agreement is ratified by the members, it is poised to be the largest Collective Bargaining Agreement covering cannabis delivery drivers and staff in the country.
Frustrated by the slow progress of negotiations, members of the Eaze bargaining committee have united to collect signatures on a petition. They delivered it to all 23 members of the board of directors and corporate leadership in the company on Wednesday, February 21st.
The petition contains the following three demands:
- Increase the mileage rate back to the IRS standard of $0.67 per mile.
- Ensure wage progressions above the minimum wage.
- Demand the presence of a decision-maker at the bargaining table.
This petition comes on the heels of Eaze’s unilateral decision last May to slash the reimbursement rate for drivers to a measly $0.39 per mile. To add insult to injury, the company has obscured how the calculation of a variable mileage rate is configured by outsourcing it to a third-party company, leaving workers in the dark.
“The overwhelming majority of Eaze’s 700 California employees are fed up with the company’s disregard for the costs of driving for Eaze.” – James Araby, a representative of United Food and Commercial Workers
“It’s about time Eaze recognizes our contributions and acknowledges our right to dignity and fair compensation.” – Kerry McCue, Eaze driver and shop steward in San Diego
“Over the past year with inflation and costs going up on driving, Eaze management shouldn’t be trying to under pay the IRS mileage rate, they should be paying it. It’s time for management to listen and take action.”– Austin Williams, Eaze driver from Santa Ana
“If management fails to meet the demands outlined in the petition, drivers are prepared to take concerted action, including the possibility of voting for a strike.” – Lay Lay Lee-Aquino, Hometown Heart San Francisco Driver
“We understand the challenges of the legal cannabis industry in California and all that we ask Eaze to do is pay us a fair wage and cover our expenses for delivering their product.” – Justin Ogunji, Eaze driver from Venice
UFCW remains steadfast in our resolve to fight for the rights of Eaze workers and will continue to push for meaningful change until their just demands are met.
For more information about UFCW’s efforts at Eaze in San Diego, please contact Brent Beltran.
UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, and 770 represent approximately 700 Eaze drivers and depot staff at 11 locations spread across Northern and Southern California: 5 locations in the Bay Area, 4 in Los Angeles County, one each in Santa Ana and San Diego.
