Highlights;
- Strike Action: Pennsylvania RISE dispensary workers, represented by Teamsters Local 776, struck on Labor Day, alleging Green Thumb Industries engaged in bad-faith bargaining.
- Company Profile: Green Thumb, a leading cannabis firm, reported $1.1 billion in 2024 revenue, operating 108 stores with 4,800 employees.
- Dispute: Workers rejected a contract offer, seeking better wages and benefits; the company claims it acted fairly and offered competitive terms.
- History: A similar 2023 Chicago strike ended with a 50% wage increase; the union now urges avoiding the York location.
On September 1, Labor Day, dispensary workers from RISE, a subsidiary of Green Thumb Industries (GTI), one of the largest cannabis companies in the U.S., formed a picket line and went on strike in York, Pennsylvania. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local Union 776, allege that their employer has failed to negotiate in good faith. This action comes after the union filed a bad-faith bargaining complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on August 28.
Green Thumb Industries, a vertically integrated multistate cannabis operator with the second-largest market cap among publicly traded cannabis companies globally, reported $1.1 billion in revenue for 2024, with a net income of $73.1 million. The company operates 108 dispensaries across 14 states and employs approximately 4,800 workers.
The strike in York follows unsuccessful negotiations between the union and Green Thumb. Teamsters Local 776, which represents over 8,500 workers across Pennsylvania, claims that Green Thumb has refused to offer a living wage despite its record revenues. The union also highlighted that Green Thumb’s CEO, Ben Kovler, received over $10 million in compensation in 2024.
In response, a Green Thumb spokesperson stated that the company has acted in good faith since unionization efforts began in July 2024. They emphasized that the company’s final offer included wage increases and comprehensive benefits, which were determined to be fair based on market analysis. However, the union rejected this proposal, leading to the strike.
The strike is confined to the RISE dispensary located at 2139 White St. in York. Green Thumb has chosen to keep the dispensary open during the strike to continue serving medical cannabis patients. The company respects the workers’ right to strike but hopes the union will reconsider the proposed contract.
This labor dispute mirrors a similar situation in 2023, when RISE workers in the Chicago area, represented by Teamsters Local 777, went on strike for 13 days. The strike ended with Green Thumb agreeing to a 50% wage increase for workers.
In Pennsylvania, Local 776 has urged community members to support the striking workers by not crossing the picket line and shopping elsewhere. Both Green Thumb and Teamsters Local 776 have been contacted for further comment.
Source: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/cannabis-labor-and-wages/news/15754404/green-thumb-workers-strike-at-pennsylvania-rise-dispensary
