WeedMD refutes Canadian Workers Union allegations

WeedMD Inc. (CVE: WMD) (OTCMKTS: WDDMF), a Canadian cannabis producer and distributor, rejected in a statement the Union's allegations of Workers of Canada, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), which accused the company of not fulfilling all its obligations to its workers.

the cannareporter advanced on March 19th, that UFCW had notified WeedMD with the claims of the approximately 250 workers currently employed at the cultivation facilities in Strathroy, Aylmer and Bowmanville, which particularly affect timetables, scheduling, wrongful terminations, abuse of power and conditions insecure.

Em release Released yesterday, WeedMD states that UFCW was “well aware” that the cannabis industry was properly characterized as agricultural and is subject to specific labor legislation in the form of the Agricultural Employee Protection Act of 2002. “UFCW's arguments Canada have already been considered and rejected by the court of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMFRA) of Ontario. As one of Canada's leading cannabis companies, we understand our obligation to our employees and fully comply with AEPA regulations. We highly value and respect the contributions of our employees and take their health and safety very seriously.” “WeedMD is aligned with OMFRA as the UFCW's continued attempts to mischaracterize employers in the cannabis sector are false. Furthermore, the allegations against WeedMD are baseless and without merit.”

WeedMD said it was still in "compliant status" with all regulatory bodies responsible for investigating these claims, such as Canada's Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

UFCW Canada represents over 250.000 workers across Canada and wants to start negotiating a collective agreement with WeedMD as soon as possible. Ontario cannabis workers are considered agricultural workers and fall under the Provincial Agricultural Employee Protection Act (AEPA), legislation that the UFCW claims violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by failing to protect the right to freedom of workers' association.