The ILWU negotiating committee members from both hotels worked hard on achieving a good settlement. From left to right: Nick Lopez, Pua Akamu, Paulsa Keeling, James Moeller, Syvell DeRego, Richard Baker Jr., Elmer Gorospe, Laine Ishikuro, Jonathan Botelho, Greg Gauthier and Frankie Pang.
KOHALA COAST, Hawaii— ILWU members working at the Mauna Kea Beach and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotels have ratified one master agreement between the properties that has united the two units into the Mauna Kea Resort at two separate ratification meetings on March 25 and 27.
bring unity to the ILWU members between both properties,” stated Richard Baker Jr., negotiations spokesman and Hawaii Division Director.
“There is not only the potential for more bargaining power for the members, but there is now the possibility for more work opportunity for workers at both properties,” he continued.
The employees of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel have been members of the ILWU for about 40 years. It is currently owned by Prince Resorts Hawaii which built the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in 1994 right next door to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel opened up as a non-union shop but the majority of the employees chose to become members very soon thereafter. The company’s management team at the time wanted to negotiate a new, separate contract from the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to the dismay of ILWU leaders. “Mauna Kea Beach Hotel had a strong contract and it seemed to be management’s desire to have a less potent contract for Hapuna,” stated Baker. “We were clear with them at the time that by having one contract they would have much more flexibility should a labor shortage arise.”
Current Prince Hotels Hawaii management recognized that unity between both properties was not only beneficial to the employees but also for the benefit of better customer service. Both companies are now governed by the stronger, earlier contract language that employees at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel have enjoyed for many years.
Workers at both hotels will maintain their work opportunity and seniority rights, as the two hotels will operate under separate seniority lists.
“Unit officers from both properties showed exceptional strength and compromise throughout the process, and without their leadership, this could not have happened,” stated ILWU negotiations co-spokesperson and Business Agent Greg Gauthier.
The negotiating committee was comprised of both Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel negotiating committee members along with Spokesperson Richard Baker Jr., as well as cospokespersons Greg Gauthier and Elmer Gorospe.
“We are hopeful that this unity will provide better opportunities in the future for even stronger contracts,” stated negotiations cospokesperson and Business Agent Elmer Gorospe.
The grounds and residential maintenance division at both properties also came together as a separate corporation to focus on the needs of the affluent homeowners that have purchased homes at the Mauna Kea Resort.
ILWU employees working in these areas will be covered by a separate agreement that mirrors the hotel contract. This new entity will be called Mauna Kea Resort Residential Services and they will be one of the first units in Hawaii Division to be part of the ILWU General Trades Health and Welfare Trust Fund.
ILWU steps up to the “plate” to stamp out hunger
BIG ISLAND, Hawaii—Full-time officers, members, and some of their families on the Big Island assisted the National Letter Carriers Association in an island-wide food drive to support the Hawaii Island Food Basket on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at both the Kona and Hilo post offices. Postal workers picked up the donated food from citizens along each of their respective routes and brought the items to the main post offices in both Hilo and Kona. Hawaii Division participants got to work alongside other Union sisters and brothers from the National Letter Carriers Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and the Hawaii Government Employees Association. Representing Hawaii Division were Division Director Richard Baker Jr.; Business Agents Isaac Fiesta Jr., Wallace Ishibashi Jr., Greg Gauthier, George A. Martin, Corinna Salmo; members Lenore Corpuz, Malcom Osaki; and Organizer Jing Tabudlo. “We stood side by side with other Union’s in trying to support families in need here on the Big Island,” stated Richard Baker Jr. “The Hawaii Island Food Basket has always been there for our members in need and it provides an important resource for the community,” Baker continued.
ILWU Hawaii Division Business Agent Corinna Salmo (right) and HSTA union members help sort tons of donated food in the National Letter Carriers Association annual food drive.
Oahu members also helped with the annual food drive. From left to right: Oahu Division Business Agent Shane Ambrose, Sam Ramirez from Unit 4305- Dole Food Company, and Oahu Division Director Dave Mori.
The Full Time Officers and members in Hawaii Division have participated in the National Letter Carriers Association’s annual “Let’s Stamp Out Hunger” campaign for many years. They assist in sorting the many tons of food that is donated by the community into the various food categories and load all of it onto big trucks that take the donated food to the Hawaii Island Food Basket warehouses. This year saw record amounts of donated food.
The next LEB meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25-26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the ILWU Union Hall, 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu.