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nion members at a dispensary in Pennsylvania voted unanimously in favor of striking, following the company’s failures to provide employees with a contract that imposes fair wages. The dispensary, Sunnyside, is located in Wyomissing in a state that legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Sunnyside is also a subsidiary of Cresco Labs; a cannabis industry giant that operates across eight states, 71 dispensaries and is home to 13 production facilities.
“Our members are united and ready to do whatever it takes to secure a strong contract,” said Bill Shappell, president of Teamsters Local 429, in a recent press release. “Sunnyside is part of a rapidly growing industry, and these workers are essential to the company’s success. They will not accept wages and working conditions that fall short of the standards they deserve.”
Teamsters Local 429 advocates for workers across a variety of industries, including cannabis, in northeastern Pennsylvania. In November, Teamsters in the state conducted the longest-running successful strike in U.S. history, securing a union-led contract after 45 days. This time, teamsters at the Sunnyside dispensary are seeking fair wages, and improved hours of work.
“We’re looking to set the standard of quality for work in the cannabis industry by securing livable wages and promoting long term careers,” Cobi Motley, a wellness advisor at Sunnyside and member of Local 429, in the press release. “We can’t accept a contract that creates economic instability in our future. It’s time for the company to come back to the table and offer a fair deal.”
As the cannabis industry continues to expand, it’s likely that the treatment of workers will continue to come into question. In 2023, dispensary employees at a Curaleaf location in Phoenix conducted the first cannabis industry strike in Arizona history.
The cannabis industry is a lucrative one, with larger corporations eventually moving into different states. But fair wages and expected hours may not necessarily follow suit.