ALRB announces settlements in cannabis-worker case and Monterey Mushrooms dispute

Julie Montgomery, general counsel to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, reported two settlements during the board’s open session.

The first settlement, handled by Region 1 staff, resolves a retaliation charge filed on Jan. 6, 2023, by a cannabis worker in Monterey County (later amended in May 2023) against KIND Farms and Ultra Personnel LLC. Under that agreement, the respondents will pay the charging party and two coworkers $60,810 in back pay and $7,500 in lieu of reinstatement. The settlement includes the ALRB’s standard notice remedy.

Montgomery also announced a bilateral informal settlement in a consolidated case against Monterey Mushrooms and the United Farm Workers (UFW). The consolidated complaints, which covered alleged unfair representation by UFW and alleged employer discrimination related to seniority and hiring-call practices, stemmed from conduct between 2019 and September 2022. Because Monterey Mushrooms closed operations in December 2024 and the employer’s hiring call was closed, the parties negotiated remedies limited by the closure. The respondents agreed to pay a total of $250,000 to charging parties and discriminating claimants. Notices will be mailed to former Monterey Mushrooms employees who worked during the relevant time frames, posted at the UFW Salinas office, and a reading will be held at the same office. ALRB staff will also provide training for UFW supervisors and administrative staff at the Salinas office as part of the remedy.

Montgomery thanked Region 1 staff and others who worked on these matters, noting the complexity of the Monterey Mushrooms case and the constraints caused by the company’s closure prevented broader remedies.

The board did not take further public action on either settlement during the open session.