Cresco Labs Workers Vote to Leave Union

LOS ANGELES- In a notable development in the cannabis industry, employees at Cresco Labs’ cultivation facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, have opted to de-unionize. The decision, made ahead of the expiration of their current contract this June, marks a significant shift, as it represents one of the first instances where unionized cannabis workers have chosen to depart from organized labor. According to MJBizDaily, the workers initially unionized under the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328 in November 2020.

Wyatt Brissette, a Cresco employee who spearheaded the de-unionization initiative, cited dissatisfaction with the union’s value, pointing out that the monthly dues of $40 did not justify the benefits received. A decisive majority, with 18 out of 20 cultivation workers at the site, supported the move to de-certify their union representation.

Lindsey Dadourian, Senior Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations at Cresco Labs, expressed pride in the workers’ decision, emphasizing the company’s commitment to supporting employee choices regarding union representation. Cresco Labs continues to maintain productive relationships with local unions that represent employees at other locations. This development could signal a potential challenge for organized labor efforts within the broader cannabis industry, despite an increasing trend of unionization across various cannabis companies.