The High Line Hotel in New York City has tested positive for Legionella bacteria, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease, leading to concerns among hotel staff and union leadership. The outbreak comes as the city is experiencing a rise in Legionnaires' disease cases, which has resulted in seven deaths this summer.
According to the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC), which represents 40,000 workers, an initial Legionella test conducted several weeks ago at the High Line Hotel registered 170 colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml). After an arbitration hearing, hotel management reportedly relented to the union's request for proof of remediation, and workers returned to their posts. However, the union alleges that management then threatened disciplinary action against staff who raised concerns about unsafe conditions.
A subsequent test on July 23 indicated a significant increase in bacterial levels, with readings reaching 700 cfu/ml. Union officials expressed fears that current levels could be even higher.
MCR, the operator of the High Line Hotel and the third-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, has been identified by union president Rich Maroko as having a poor record regarding violations related to Legionella. The union claims that MCR's four hotels average 2.84 violations per inspection, the highest rate among the 10 hotel operators with the most cooling tower violations citywide. Since the city began inspecting cooling towers for Legionella in 2017, the High Line Hotel has averaged 6.71 violations per inspection, second-worst in the city.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia transmitted through inhaling water droplets or mist contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Cooling towers, used to regulate temperature in industrial air conditioning systems, are identified as a common source of the bacteria.
"No one should have to choose between keeping their job and staying healthy," Maroko stated. He added that while most of the unionized hotel industry has been cooperative in addressing safety concerns, the High Line Hotel has been a notable exception. "Now that this latest incident has been made public, we hope they will now take any and all steps necessary to ensure worker and public safety is met." MCR did not immediately respond to requests for comment.