In an email to Local 4 News, a spokesperson for Green Thumb Industries released this statement.

“It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of an employee at our Rock Island, IL facility on July 14th. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and our team members who are coping with this unimaginable loss.

“To the best of our knowledge, this tragic death was not related to the working environment. According to the police report, the Rock Island County Deputy Coroner conducted an investigation and determined the cause of death to be from natural causes.

“The safety of our team is our top priority, and we regularly review working conditions to ensure we are adhering to the highest safety standards for our team. Results from air quality testing conducted to date have complied with all regulatory acceptable standards and we feel confident in the work environment and safety measures we have in place.

“We deeply regret the Teamsters’ attempt to push their own agenda by instilling fear and uncertainty on top of the grief we all feel. We are focused on supporting our team members and the family during this difficult time.’

EARLIER: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters are demanding Green Thumb Industries (GTI) address workers’ safety concerns after a staff member died at the company’s Rock Island grow operation on Friday, July 14, according to a news release from the union. Rock Island County coroner Brian Gustafson identified the employee as Julie M. Devinney, 60 of Rock Island.

According to the release, workers at GTI have filed at least five complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), alleging serious safety and health violations. This includes two complaints that are currently under investigation at the Rock Island location. The release says GTI has been previously cited by OSHA at other facilities for health and safety violations.

“While it’s still too early to conclusively determine the circumstances that led to this individual’s untimely death, what we do know is that there have been significant concerns about occupational hazards at this operation – particularly regarding respiratory health – in the past,” said Jim Glimco, president of Teamsters Local 777 in the release. “We also know that those concerns haven’t always been adequately addressed when brought to the attention of higher-ups. GTI needs to take drastic and immediate action to address the safety concerns of its workforce. This includes allowing them to unionize and bargaining in good faith so the workers can enforce safety standards through a union contract.”

The union further alleges in the release that the company violated federal law at the Rock Island facility during a union organizing drive in 2021, and again during and after an unfair labor practice strike earlier this year. After Devinney’s death, the union claims GTI threatened one of the staff members at the Rock Island location after he posted about the incident on his social media account.

“Given that this employer’s recent labor record, we weren’t surprised to hear that the company is alleged to have threatened retaliation against a worker for exercising their right to engage in concerted activity,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “The Teamsters stand in solidarity with the workers of Rock Island as they mourn the loss of their friend and co-worker. GTI needs to focus less on its bottom line and more on the welfare of its workforce.”

“As a former GTI worker, me and many others at the Rock Island facility had serious safety concerns that weren’t addressed,” said Magen Townsend, Teamsters International Organizer. “Lack of air filtration, proper ventilation and safety equipment were among our primary issues. GTI needs to be held accountable for refusing to acknowledge these serious concerns and putting workers at risk.”

Green Thumb Industries has not returned calls from Local 4 News.