News

First unionized cannabis shop in Saskatoon

Published on September 13, 2024 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed

In a Saskatoon first, workers at five ‘The Joint’ cannabis stores have joined a union.

About 40 workers voted yes to joining the United Food and Commercial Workers local 1400.

“The group … is largely made up of younger individuals who are deeply committed to advancing both their working conditions, and the cannabis industry,” the union says in a news release. “The workers joined the union to address various workplace issues and to secure a fair collective agreement.”

“Their expertise in the cannabis sector makes them well-suited to push for better working conditions,” local president Lucy Figueiredo says in the release.

Local 1400 represents thousands of workers across Saskatchewan in a variety of industries, including retail food, food processing, security, industrial and transportation sectors.

Other UFCW locals have organized workers at a number of cannabis stores in BC and Ontario.