Thank you water ecologists for keeping New Yorkers safe every day.

We thank our water ecologists for keeping New Yorkers safe every day. These 3005 members are testing cooling towers on the frontlines of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak.

Like most City staff, they are underpaid and their wages have not kept up with inflation. They work in extreme heat, heights, and other hazards. Most are not allowed remote or compressed work, which is permitted to other Health Department workers. They do not receive hazard pay or transportation stipends.

Although headcount was raised to be able to more regularly inspect cooling towers and prevent further outbreaks, the Health Department has only recently onboarded most of these new hires and staffing issues remain. 3005 members demand the City address staffing issues that persist across the Health Department and Office of Chief Medical Examiner. 

To learn more about organizing your workplace to stand up for these principles, join the next Membership committee meeting.