The ILWU Local 142 offers its full support and solidarity to the 1,800 Local 5 workers who began an indefinite strike against the Hilton Hawaiian Village this morning at 5 a.m. 

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is the most profitable Hilton hotel on earth and it is the workers of the resort that make it so. These workers, as with all workers, deserve a contract that reflects respect for the workers who make the hotel run and shine for guests. 

Just two weeks ago, on September 10th, hundreds of ILWU members marched from the Hawaiʻi Convention Center to the Hilton Hawaiian Village to stand in solidarity with Local 5 hotel workers who had just struck the hotel for three days and who were preparing for another possible indefinite strike, which began today.

The show of solidarity was historic in light of a decades-long relationship marked by tension and non-cooperation. But over the past year, leaders of both unions have worked diligently to transform the relationship to one of solidarity and goodwill. "I am so so touched by the fact that all of our sisters and brothers from the ILWU have shown up today to march with us." said Local 5 Financial Treasurer Secretary, Cade Watanabe. 

ILWU President Chris West spoke at the action rally to members of both unions. "The corporations, they like to see us separated, they like to see us fighting each other. But when weʻre fighting ourselves, they win. This is the start of us joining together. Not as Local 5, not as the ILWU, but as working-class people in the state of Hawaiʻi."

Aloha and solidarity to our brothers, sisters, and union siblings at UNITE HERE! Local 5!