Representatives Joe Souki, Tommy Waters, Della Belatti, Marcus Oshiro, Angus McKelvey, Hermina Morita, Marilyn Lee, Roy Takumi, Scott Nishimoto, Tom Brower, and Jon Riki Karamatsu joined the picketing of the Pacific Beach Hotel on May 2, 2008.
Representative Roy Takumi: “All of us here today think that good labor relations based on good faith negotiations and a balance between what the workers’ interests are and what the hotel’s interests are. It is clear to me in this situation the hotel is not bargaining in good faith, is not looking out for its employees, and they should be ashamed of themselves.”
Representative Dwight Takamine from the First District of the Big Island: “We’re here to support the Pacific Beach Hotel workers who are exercising their legal rights to be represented by the union.
All they’re trying to do is to improve the quality of life of their families. This is a fundamental right of all working families throughout the state.
I also wanted to acknowledge and thank those workers who really stepped up to the plate. Sometimes you really have to show a lot of courage and take risks in exercising your rights, and we understand that 32 employees have been terminated in the process.
I think it’s a benefit to all working families when people like this stand up for their rights and it is going to help everyone in the continuing struggle to have and to be able to provide the very best for all working families.”
Representative Joe Souki from Maui, “Fight the good battle and we will do what we can to help you"
Continued on page 3.
“We’re here to support the workers who are exercising their legal rights to be represented by the union,” said Dwight Takamine.
Grand Wailea agreement sets higher wages than Waikiki hotels
WAILEA, Maui—ILWU members of the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa on Maui approved a five-year agreement with the company in April 2008. Wages will also increase by 2% every 6 months for non-tipped workers. Tipping category workers will get a wage increase of 9.5 percent
Porterage for bell workers will be $5.00 in and $5.00 out; housekeepers will get a $2.50 premium for rollaway beds, which will increase to $3.00 on April 1, 2010.
Pension contributions will increase. Paid funeral leave was extended to include grandparents and domestic partners.
Following are some examples of the wage increases which go into effect on October 1, 2008. Housekeepers will earn $15.60 an hour, a Cook I will earn $24.38 an hour, and a Buffet Attendant will earn $16.15 an hour. The total wage increase over the life of the contract ranges from $5.45 for the highest paid classifications to $2.74 for the lowest classifications.
The average increase for nontipping workers will be about $4.10 an hour. This is much higher than the $2.40 an hour increase negotiated by Unite HERE Local 5 for Waikiki hotels.
Negotiating committee members were: Jason Medeiros, Perlita Manlansing, Robert Apo, Harin Soril, Tim Noble, Jodie Day, Valerie Salmon, Merlinda Valdez, Michael Friday. William Kennison was the spokesperson. Business agents Stephen Castro and Stephen West also participated in the negotiations.