Unite Here Local 5 spokesman Bryant de Venecia said the return of 212 Local 5 union members — or about 12% of HHV’s once 1,746-­strong union workforce — is the largest hospitality employee callback in Hawaii since the pandemic began. Yet, even with the Hilton improvements, de Venecia said only 1,200 of Local 5’s 8,000 Hawaii hospitality workers have returned to work.

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Allison Schaefers. Unite Here Local 5 spokesman Bryant de Venecia said the return of 212 Local 5 union members — or about 12% of HHV’s once 1,746-­strong union workforce — is the largest hospitality employee callback in Hawaii since the pandemic began. Yet, even with the Hilton improvements, de Venecia said only 1,200 of Local 5’s 8,000 Hawaii hospitality workers have returned to work.

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(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – I was startled to learn that 5,000 of the 7,000 unemployed Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers are not only out of work, but have lost their health insurance as well (“Forecast bleak for the state’s hotel industry,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 24). In the middle of a pandemic, no less!

Hawaii’s hotel industry is still struggling despite tourism reopening, and isn’t expected to break even in 2021

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Allison Schaefers. “If we are going to recap 2020, we barely left square one. Our members are still struggling, still dealing with how to pay for rent and food and health care,” de Venecia said. “It’s just heartbreaking, especially right before Christmas. People need help now.”

Here’s How To Transform Tourism In Hawaii

(Honolulu Civil Beat) – By Noel Kent. The growing challenges to our economic survival were illuminated by the grueling 51-day strike of 2,700 Local 5 hotel workers in late 2018 over pay, work and job security issues at five Waikiki hotels owned by Kyo-ya and managed by Marriott.

Slow Unemployment Payments Spark Protests In Honolulu

(Honolulu Civil Beat) – By Marcel Honore. Local labor union Unite Here Local 5 also held a rally and march Saturday calling on the state’s newly elected and reelected leaders to help Hawaii residents navigate the pandemic, including with faster unemployment payments.

Hawaii workers rally for in-person unemployment help

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Nina Wu. Lisa Grandinetti, an organizer for UNITE HERE Local 5, which represents hotel workers, said thousands of its members are unemployed. Hundreds are also in limbo, with claims pending, and a small group of members has not been paid since March.