Cannabis workers to unionize
Workers at Trees Cannabis locations have voted to join other “budtenders” as part of the B.C. Bud division of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518.
The union said workers have been grappling with low wages, no paid sick days and working without breaks while serving the public as essential workers during the pandemic.
Trees Cannabis has two locations in Nanaimo and two in Victoria, with three more opening in summer and fall.
The union and workers will begin negotiating with the company over the next few months.
The UFCW said other unionized cannabis workers have won cannabis sommelier training, enhanced store security, and increased wages.
UFCW Local 1518 represents more than 26,000 members working in the community health, hospitality, retail, cannabis, industrial, and professional sectors across British Columbia.
Cascadia Liquor to open in Royal Bay
Cascadia Liquor has announced plans to open a location Colwood’s Royal Bay community in early 2023.
It will be the sixth Greater Victoria location for the company, their second in Colwood, where the first Cascadia Liquor opened at Hatley Park Centre in 2007. The new location will join Quality Foods in The Commons, a new retail development at the centre of Royal Bay. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
Cascadia Liquor is part of The Truffles Group, whose brands include Truffles Catering, Cascadia Liquor, Habitat Catering, Sequoia Coastal Coffee and Victoria Butterfly Gardens.
New chairman for Odlum Brown
Andy Eisenbock has been appointed chairman of Odlum Brown Limited, a Victoria-based investment firm.
Eisenbock has been with Odlum Brown for about 30 years. In addition to his roles as vice-president, director and investment adviser, he is a member of the firm’s executive committee and served as vice-chair for three years.
Offices are in Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Chilliwack, Courtenay and Langley.
Additions to art gallery board
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has four new board members.
Carol Anne Harper, Brian Gordon, Laylee Rohani, and Ruth Wittenberg were elected for their first two-year terms on the Board. Two current Board members, Godfrey Archbold and Chris Lawless, were also elected to serve an additional third term.
The gallery board also recognized Jackie Hamilton and Lynne Masse Danes who left the Board in the past year, as well as Leslie Hildebrandt and Chantal Meagher.
