Seventeen full- and part-time medical marijuana dispensary workers at Restore Dispensary in East Petersburg voted Thursday to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State, according to an uncertified tally.
According to Nicole Young, communications coordinator for Local 1776, 12 employees voted for the union and two voted no. Three ballots were not opened because a majority voted to be represented by the union. Three employees did not vote. The vote took place at the Manheim Township Public Library.
After certification by the National Labor Relations Board, a total of 20 employees at Restore will be the first medical marijuana dispensary workers in Lancaster County to unionize, joining a trend in the industry. There are six medical marijuana dispensaries in the county.
Young said the workers are seeking clearer communications from management, wage adjustments and better workplace safety that includes training for positions they already hold.
“They don’t want to feel ignored when they bring these concerns to management,” Young said.
Young could not say how much workers are paid. The company advertisements for store associates and security guards say pay is $17 an hour.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State represents about 35,000 members who work at Pennsylvania’s Wine