On June 25, workers at the Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary in Chicago joined UFCW Local 881 for better working conditions. The dispensary, which is owned by Cresco Labs, employs 40 people.
These workers faced an unusually long wait to receive the results of their election, originally petitioned for on April 3, 2020. The National Labor Relations Board originally ordered that the election would be held by mail-in ballot instead of in-person voting. However, the pandemic caused the vote count to be postponed multiple times.
“The entire process has tested everyone’s resolve, but we came through in the end,” said Nicholas Stankus, a Sunnyside employee. “This group is proud to be the first cannabis dispensary workers to unionize with UFCW Local 881 and participate in the growth of Illinois’s cannabis industry.”
The workers joined UFCW Local 881 because they wanted to improve their working conditions. Workers cited issues such as a lack of professionalism from management, unclear workplace policies and procedures, a slow and inadequate response to the challenges of the COVID-19 coronavirus, and a growing culture of disrespect for workers.
“The workers at Sunnyside are a great example of what happens when workers stand together and fight for what they want,” said Local 881 UFCW President Steve Powell. “This was a long wait, but better careers are worth fighting for. Our union is proud of these workers and looks forward to negotiating a contract that will be worth the wait!”