August 2016 Workers Lead Bulletin
A 30+% raise for Hale Koa workers, Hale Nani ratification, and more. Read below for more of our Local 5 victories. (Printable PDF version of our August 2016 Workers Lead Bulletin: English and Chinese.)
Hale Koa workers to receive at least a 30% raise
Because Hale Koa is owned by the federal government, its workers’ wages are set by a wage survey. Their pay should be comparable to the pay of other Waikiki hotel workers. But they’ve been underpaid for years, and Local 5 has been fighting for a new wage survey. Now Hale Koa workers will receive at least a 30% raise, bringing them up to the Waikiki standard & transforming their lives.
Hale Nani workers ratify new union contract
Local 5 members at Hale Nani ratified their new union contract by a vote of 117 to 1. Their new contract addresses concerns about staffing and improves wages and benefits, including an 8% wage increase over 3 years. Congratulations! Your strength and unity is an example and an inspiration for all of us.
Starbucks Ala Moana Hotel supervisors correct their vacation pay
Heidi Hill (pictured on the right), a shop steward at Ala Moana Hotel’s Starbucks, found out that supervisors were being paid the barista rate instead of the supervisor rate during vacation. She successfully got their vacation pay changed to the correct rate.
Summer interns organize “Floatopia for Fairness” action
Our Organizing Beyond Barriers interns organized a “Floatopia for Fairness” action. Students from Farrington High, Waipahu High, Pearl City High, and UH Manoa floated in front of the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel to call on Aston and Hotel Renew to treat workers fairly.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki worker receives back pay after wrongful suspension
Hyatt Regency Waikiki housekeeper Nonita Coloma was recently suspended. Without even filing a grievance, shop steward James Bartolome argued that her suspension was wrong and got management to give Nonita 3 days back pay and holiday pay.
HB1850, Airbnb’s bad bill, is vetoed by Governor Ige
Gov. Ige vetoed HB1850, Airbnb’s bad bill that would have hurt affordable housing and our good jobs. Mahalo to everyone who emailed and called Gov. Ige, telling him to preserve our affordable housing, our economy, and our communities.
