The BC Budtenders division of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1518 labour union (UFCW 1518) is fed up with the shortage of hours at a downtown Vancouver Canna Cabana. This lack of work has brought a lack of staffing with it.
On Monday, members served the High Tide Inc (CVE: HITI) (NASDAQ: HITI) store a notice explaining that they are prepared to go on strike over the issue. UFCW 1518 is one of the largest private-sector unions in the province, with over 27,000 workers.
Employees at the location joined the Budtenders Union earlier this year over animosity about low wages and job security.
“It’s in nobody’s interests for a dispensary to be understaffed – the union and its members will have their back,” the notice said.
High Tide opened up the location last fall. It is the eighth Canna Cabana location in the province. The store chain’s parent company would likely open even more, but BC does not allow retailers to have more than eight. High Tide neglected to give any input on the matter.
“Out of respect for the collective bargaining process, we will not be commenting at this time,” a company representative told StratCann.
Members at Canna Cabana have made clear they are prepared to strike to address the shortage of hours here, which is why today we served strike notice at this store. It's in nobody's interests for a dispensary to be understaffed – the union and its members will have their back ✊ pic.twitter.com/pJ5v8yq5WV
— UFCW 1518 (@UFCW_1518) October 7, 2024
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High Tide: one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies
The Globe and Mail’s report on the nation’s most rapidly growing businesses this year placed High Tide in spot number 87 out of 417. This is the fourth year that the Calgary-based cannabis operator has ranked on the list.
High Tide also recently received praise from an analyst at Ventum Financial. The firm’s researcher Andrew Semple said the company was continually surpassing earnings expectations and that it was Ventum’s “highest conviction idea in Canadian cannabis.”
High Tide just opened up its 70th Canna Cabana location in the province of Ontario. Apparently the limit on retail locations in BC doesn’t apply there. It is the company’s 10th Toronto shop.
High Tide traded approximately 1.5 million shares on the Nasdaq Exchange yesterday.
rowan@mugglehead.com
