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Since he wrote WeedMD Monday, Shimmin said the company has taken several steps, such as moving the trimming operation to a secondary building to space out workers, installing additional hand-washing and hand sanitizer stations, and removing chairs from the break room.

“I think that is a good sign and relatively good start,” he said. “And the workers do feel pretty strongly that that was the result of us sending that letter.”

A WeedMD spokesperson said all recent changes are part of the company’s commitment to improve employee safety during the virus crisis, not a response to the union’s demands, and no employees have tested postitive for COVID-19.

“Like every other employer in Canada, we are strictly following the guidelines by public health (officials),” Marianella delaBarrera said, noting WeedMD has a proven track record of following federal and provincial health and safety regulations. “We’ve enhanced our already rigorous sanitization protocols, which includes additional steps in sanitizing common areas and surfaces.”

In addition to informing self-isolating employees how to access government benefits, WeedMD issues weekly correspondence to its staff about all changes, delaBarrera said, noting six recent memos related to COVID-19.

“This is unprecedented in Canada for any employers, including cannabis employers, so we’re writing the rule book as we go,” she said.

UFCW also has asked WeedMD to have medical professionals test employees entering their facilities for signs of the coronavirus, but delaBarrera was quick to shoot down that idea, saying the company doesn’t want sick people coming to work.

“If you are feeling sick, or if you have any symptoms, it is absolutely imperative that these individuals refrain from coming to work or any other public space,” she said.

UFCW’s push to unionize production workers at WeedMD started last month when workers reached out to the union, prompting it to start recording employee concerns and signing up members.

Shimmin said the union now represents WeedMD employees – the first cannabis production workers in Canada to unionize – and wants to begin contract talks with the company.

dcarruthers@postmedia.com