Green Thumb Workers Strike at 3 Dispensaries in Illinois

Editor's note: This article was updated to reflect the ongoing nature of this strike, which is now expected to continue on April 20 and likely through the rest of the week. 

Unionized workers employed by one of the biggest cannabis companies in the world grabbed their signs for picket lines at 4:20 p.m. April 19 at three RISE dispensaries in the Chicagoland area. 

Among the three Green Thumb Industries (GTI) retail locations in Illinois—two in Joliet and one in Niles—there are more than 100 unionized workers represented by Teamsters Local 777 who began engaging in the “open-ended unfair labor practice strike,” not an economic strike, according to union spokesman Matt McQuaid. Local 777 represents more than 500 cannabis workers throughout Illinois.

The strike will continue on April 20 and likely through the end of the week, McQuaid told Cannabis Business Times.

Employees who strike fall into two groups: economic strikers and unfair labor practice strikers. Both groups remain employees of the business during the strike, but unfair labor practice strikers are typically entitled to return to their jobs at the conclusion of a strike (as opposed to economic strikers, who may be replaced by other workers during the strike), according to the National Labor Relations Board.

The unfair labor practice strike was filed “because the company violated the workers’ rights under the [National Labor Relations Act],” and because GTI demanded workers in Niles remove pro-union insignias (buttons) while they were at work, according to Local 777. 

“The company’s demand that the workers remove their pins is part of a broader pattern of disrespect to their workforce,” Jim Glimco, Local 777 president, said in a press release. “GTI is refusing to offer these men and women wages commensurate with the cost of living, or retirement package that is acceptable for Teamsters. It’s far past time this company recognize the people responsible for all of the success it’s had.”

In a GTI statement provided to CBT, the company countered that there are no unfair labor practices taking place at the three dispensary locations.

“Green Thumb respects the rights of our employees, including the fundamental right to organize and take protected concerted activity during negotiations,” according to the statement. “We made a fair offer to the union and will continue to work toward labor peace. During this time, we have made accommodations to continue our store operations to ensure our patients and customers can access the products they rely on for their well-being.”

As part of the RISE strikes, workers are demanding better wagers and retirement security, according to a Local 777 press release.

Specifically, the workers at the RISE Rock Creek dispensary in Joliet voted in July 2022 to join the Local 777; while workers at the RISE Colorado store in Joliet voted to join in June 2022; and workers at the RISE retail facility in Niles voted in April 2022.

The wages GTI is offering are less than what unionized members under contract already receive, McQuaid told CBT.

The strikes come after GTI, which is based in Chicago, recently reported more than $1 billion in revenue for 2022, representing 14% year-over-year growth, as well as $159 million in cash flow from operations and a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net income of $12 million from its full-year financial report.

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Overall, GTI has 79 open retail locations across 15 states and employs approximately 3,800 people.

“These workers are the reason [that] GTI is a billion-dollar enterprise,” McQuaid said. “These workers are the backbone of this company’s success. They deserve a collective bargaining agreement that reflects this fact.”