Highlights;
- Workers at Ascend Cannabis in Barry, Illinois, have voted to join the Teamsters union, adding 282 employees to the union’s ranks.
- The employees represent roles in cultivation, extraction, facilities, inventory, packaging, post-harvest, and quality assurance.
- This is the third group of Ascend employees to gain Teamsters representation; Local 916 previously organized drivers and manufacturing workers who are now bargaining for their first contract.
- Teamsters Local 916 represents over 4,000 workers across Illinois, including in cities like Chicago, Carbondale, and Champaign.
- The win highlights a growing trend of cannabis workers nationwide uniting under the Teamsters to improve workplace standards and conditions.
- Workers expressed pride in standing together to achieve union representation, emphasizing that their voices will now be heard and recognized.
- Teamsters leadership, including Local 916 President JP Fyans and Food Processing Division Director Jesse Case, emphasized the union’s commitment to supporting workers in negotiations and expanding union representation in the cannabis industry.
- For more information, visit teamsters916.org.
[PRESS RELEASE] – BARRY, Ill., Aug. 29, 2025 –
Workers at Ascend Cannabis in Barry, Ill., have voted to join the Teamsters union, adding 282 employees across various departments—including cultivation, extraction, facilities, inventory, packaging, post-harvest, and quality assurance—to the growing number of unionized cannabis workers nationwide.
This latest organizing victory marks the third group of Ascend employees to secure Teamsters representation. Local 916 had previously organized drivers and manufacturing workers at Ascend, who are currently in the process of negotiating their first union contract.
“This victory demonstrates the power of unity among workers to transform their workplaces,” said JP Fyans, President of Teamsters Local 916. “Our members at Ascend have already shown what is possible with a union on their side. Now, even more workers will have a seat at the table, and I want to be clear: Teamsters Local 916 will stand firmly behind them every step of the way until they secure the strong contract they deserve.”
The Ascend workers are part of a rapidly growing movement of cannabis workers across the U.S. who are coming together under the Teamsters banner to improve standards in the industry. From cultivation to retail, cannabis workers are increasingly recognizing the Teamsters as a powerful advocate for fair contracts and workplace representation.
“Cannabis workers nationwide are realizing that the Teamsters are the best choice for strong contracts and a real voice in the workplace,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “We’re committed to maintaining this momentum and will continue to fight until every cannabis worker who wants a union has one.”
Workers at Ascend also expressed their pride and determination in achieving this milestone. Cory Hill, a cultivation worker at Ascend, said, “As agricultural workers, we knew this wouldn’t be easy, but we stood together and made it happen. Now, our hard work will be recognized, and our voices will not only be heard but listened to. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
Teamsters Local 916 represents more than 4,000 workers across Illinois, from Chicago to Carbondale and East St. Louis to Champaign. For more information, visit teamsters916.org.
