Union alleges Hilton lied

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

The union representing about 50 workers possibly exposed to mold at Kalia Tower said Hilton Hawaiian Village managers were told about abnormal fungal growth on furniture several months before the company said it was first alerted to the problem.

It was February or March — not early June as Hilton said last week — that Kalia Tower housekeepers reported mold in the year-old tower, said Eric Gill, financial secretary-treasurer of Local 5 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, at a press conference yesterday.

Gill said a subcontractor, Team Clean Inc., whose employees also are represented by Local 5, was hired to specifically clean mold at Kalia Tower in May.

Asked to respond to the union's allegations, Peter Schall, Hilton Hawaiian Village's managing director, issued a statement that said the company first tried to clean the mold and determine its cause, then called in experts when that didn't work. His statement did not address when the hotel did that.

A Team Clean spokesman declined to comment.

Gill said the union has been frustrated at what it believes is a lack of communication from Hilton regarding the mold issue. The frustration comes at a time when Hilton's relationship is already strained with the union.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.