WYOMISSING, Pa. – Union workers at a Wyomissing marijuana dispensary ended their 20-day strike after they reached a three-year labor agreement that includes raises and health care coverage.
In February, employees at Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary were on the picket line, calling for fair wages and a fair process for scheduling. Sunnyside is a subsidiary of Cresco Labs, a publicly traded multi-state operator in the cannabis industry.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the members of Teamsters Local 429 reached an agreement that the union says guarantees 12.5% in raises, health care for all employees, full-time/part-time ratios, increased leave for part-time employees, secure tip language and a strong ratification bonus.
Teamsters Local 429 represents workers across several industries, including Cannabis Teamsters, throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.
“The labor agreement comes as the future of cannabis access, employment, and entrepreneurship remains a legislative priority in Harrisburg,” state Reps. Emily Kinkead, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and Napoleon Nelson said in a joint statement, congratulating the union members.
House Bill 20, which currently awaits consideration in the House Health Committee, is a bipartisan proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania and includes a requirement that dispensaries execute labor peace agreements in order to receive licenses.
That means contracts between employers and unions would require employers not to interfere with efforts of employees to organize in exchange for concessions like avoiding labor disruptions through strikes, picketing or lockouts.