Sitting L-R: Unit Treasurer Lourdes Rivera (Culinary), Liwayway Jimenez (Housekeeping), Adeline Castillo (Housekeeping). Standing L-R: Unit Vice Chair Lolohea Hong (Front Desk), Leonard Sevall (Engineering), Unit Chair Mike Bunyard (Food and Beverage), Michael Clarkson (Food and Beverage), Alena Bolor (Bell/Valet), Unit Editor Seini Dennis (Front Desk), Negotiating Spokesperson/Business Agent Teddy Espeleta. Not pictured is Business Agent for the Unit, Steven Lee (mahalo Steven for the photo).

KA’ANAPALI — On February 8-9, 2022, Unit 2505 Westin Maui held the ratification of their new collective bargaining agreement with management. An overwhelming majority of the workers who came to vote voted “YES” to their new contract.

Strong negotiating team, strong contracts 
These contracts are a major feat for the rank-and-file members who bargain with the company on behalf of their fellow workers.

At large hotels such as the Westin, it is crucial that every department is represented at the bargaining table. How would the company know the day-to-day reality of its workers without any feedback from them?

“When you want anything accomplished, it just doesn’t make sense to rely on someone else to make your case for you,” said negotiating committee member Michael Clarkson from the Food and Beverage department. “When you want change, and you have a cause, whether in your department or another one, no one will sell that better than yourself.”

The union helps workers be the change they wish to see by providing a structure and foundation for workers to make their case and needs known without the fear of retaliation for expressing their opinions.

The members on the negotiating team provide a strong and united front to make a case for what they deserve.

It was Alena Bolor’s first time coming on board to help the negotiating committee. “I enjoyed every moment of it,” said Bolor, a member from the bell desk/valet clerk. I learned so much, like how premiums, wages, medical, and pension are all included with the benefits we get with the union.”

“It was interesting because being on the committee kind of goes back to what I was raised with: If you don’t ask, the answer will always be ‘no’; it will always be a ‘no’ until you ask. It was exciting to learn how we can ask for what we want through the union and succeed in getting what we want.”

Not taking ‘NO’ for an answer 
“The company’s lawyer actually came on our negotiating Zoom call and made a bowl shape with his hands,” recalls Seini Dennis, a negotiating member from the Front Desk Department.

“He said, ‘All I have to give you is in this small bowl; that’s all we’re working with.’ We just looked at him and said, ‘Well, you need to remember you need to work with us, the workers, who got this business through the pandemic.’

Seini, continued, “Coming out of lockdown, it is just a fact that companies cannot find and keep employees. To make our case in negotiations, we stood up for the value of our loyalty and keeping on working, on still finding aloha to give the customer even when it’s hard to find it in ourselves. Negotiations are tricky but the simple fact to the employer is, if you treat us well, we will have reason to stay. And you need us to stay.”

Successful Gains, Stronger Together 
The concerns and points that the negotiating committee articulated to management were undoubtedly successful.

“This is the third round of negotiations I participated in,” said Clarkson. “This was by far the easiest of the three, and we got things done in the shortest amount of time. They (the company) always wants explanations of why we’re asking for what we want, and we had good explanations ready for them. That definitely moved it along.”

Bolor, Clarkson and Dennis all noted the happiness they felt on behalf of her fellow workers in the Housekeeping Department, in no small part to Liwayway Jimenez and Adeline Castillo who both stepped up for the first time to participate in the negotiating committee to highlight the concerns of their department.

“I am so proud of Gigi (Liwayway) and Adeline because I know sometimes with English as a second language there is a fear around speaking in case you may be misunderstood. But they really spoke up and helped get things for their whole department, like giving them a better working environment so they don’t have to stress about getting their job done to the standard the company demands,” said Dennis.

Negotiating committee member Lourdes Rivera is from the culinary department, but recalled how she got her start in the housekeeping.

“I was so hesitant to speak up at first, but other workers that were involved in the union convinced me there’s no harm in trying.”

We are so proud of our union brothers and sisters in tourism for helping their fellow workers stay union strong. Thank you for helping the company understand the workers’ worth, especially after the pandemic. We honor your hard work and commitment to doing what is in the best interest for all!