WAILEA, Maui—”No need worry about job security!” This was the most frequent comment heard as Grand Wailea members voted to approve a new labor agreement at membership meetings held throughout the day on May 21, 2004.

The new labor agreement between the ILWU and KSL II gives union members unprecedented protection in the event the hotel changes ownership or management. All members transfer to the new management or owner with no loss of seniority or benefits such as saved vacation or sick leave. The new owner must assume all terms and liabilities of the union contract. In the event an employee is not offered the same position with the same status and hours of work, the employee has the option of taking separation pay.

Job security has always been a major concern for workers of the exclusive Maui resort, as the hotel has changed ownership five times and management has changed three times since the resort opened in 1991. The fifth and latest ownership change occurred in April 2004, in the middle of negotiations, and another management change could occur at the end of this year, which is when the new owners of the hotel are expected to award a long-term contract for managing the hotel. 

—continued on page 7 “Highest wages on Maui”

Dole and Del Monte Settle

HONOLULU—Dole Pineapple was the first of the three pineapple companies to reach agreement on a new collective bargaining contract. Members approved the settlement in ratification meetings held on May 24, 2004. Del Monte members are scheduled to vote on their settlement on June 16, 2004. Negotiations will then shift to Maui Land and Pineapple, where the contract has been extended to August 7, 2004.

The details of the Del Monte settlement will be reported after the June 16 membership meetings.

The new contract covering Dole Wahiawa and Dole Fresh Fruit runs 5 years from May 1, 2004 to April 30, 2009. Wages will increase by 2 percent each year for a total increase of 10 percent. The existing medical plan for active and retired employees will continue to April 30, 2009. The drug plan will be changed to HMSA Drug Plan 351 (generic co-pay remains same, preferred brand increase from $15 to $20) and Kaiser Drug 10 (co-pay increases to $10).

President’s Day and Kuhio Day will be replaced by Jack Hall’s Day, January 2nd, and one floating holiday for regular employees. Floating holidays have to be taken by the end of the year. Employees who give seven days advance notice when they request their floating holiday will be given priority. If their request is denied the employee can choose to save it for another day or take it in pay. The only change for intermittent or non-regulars is the replacement of Kuhio Day by January 2nd, Jack Hall’s Day.

Work Opportunity 
The company agreed to provide additional work opportunity to regulars if there is less than 40 hours per week, but the company will not be required to shift employees to other work when there is less than 2 hours remaining in the shift. New language will allow the company to supplement the workforce from other Dole units, provided members of the receiving bargaining unit are given first offer for this work.

Spokesperson Fred Galdones presents the tentative settlement to Del Monte pineapple workers.

The company also agreed to post 20 new regular positions within 30 days after May 5, 2004. Five of the new jobs will be for Fresh Fruit/ Chilled Cut and 15 jobs will be for Wahiawa Plantation.

Other changes to the contract include: 

• Training Pay—Employees required to train another employee will receive one grade higher for all hours worked as a trainer. 

• Employees who may have an Annual Personalized Rate Assignment will now be informed by the company if they have acquired or not acquired a personalized rate. 

• Employees who have to leave work for treatment for an industrial accident will be paid for time spent for such treatment. • Meal Penalty—Old contract language stating that the meal penalty will apply only on “noncanning days” was deleted. Now the meal penalty pay will apply at all times. 

• Work Schedule—The company will notify the employees as soon as it knows that the work schedule must be changed. 

Discipline—Record of suspensions will be removed from an employee’s file after 4 years, instead of the present 5 years. ◆