Statement on Black Lives Matter

Local 5 members at Kaiser Permanente Honolulu clinic wore black in solidarity with Black Lives Matter

UNITE HERE Local 5 condemns the government murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the latest in a sickening string of repeated police atrocities against Black Americans. We reject this police violence as a terrorist crime intended to intimidate Black communities from fighting for fairness and equality. Black Lives Matter for us.

George Floyd’s murder shocked people all around the world into action. Hundreds of thousands have turned out to protest. We are inspired by the courage and determination shown by people worldwide who are risking their lives and health to protest the routine brutalization and murder of citizens by our government.

The live-on-camera brutality displayed by George Floyd’s murderers revealed the true nature of our government’s attitude to peoples’ rights. Now everyone has seen what Black Americans have known for centuries: the government can casually kill you and get away with it.

Justice-loving Americans have turned out in force to join the Black community in outrage about police murder, only to be met with more government violence. So now we know it’s not just Black people whose rights are being trampled. The government will gas you and shoot you if you protest government atrocities, no matter the color of your skin, even if you are protesting “peacefully”.

In our union, we know from experience that we get nowhere fighting the boss one-by-one. Our power depends on our ability to gather our numbers. If they take away our ability to demonstrate and protest as a group, they take away our power. And that’s what they are doing when they attack peaceful protesters—trying to intimidate all of us from turning out to fight for our rights.

As people around the world join Americans in the fight to finally put an end to the disgusting government terrorism campaign against our Black communities, we now know that when we fight for the rights of Black people, we are fighting for the rights of everybody.

Let’s defeat racism and the other things that divide us. Let’s stand together to make our government stop its violence against our communities. Together, we can make our government “of the people, by the people and for the people” the way it is supposed to be.

Mon. 6/8/20: COVID-19 Update

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

‘I’m squeaking by right now’: voices of America’s unemployment crisis (The Guardian, June 6, 2020)

This article features several workers, including UNITE HERE members like Sheraton Waikiki worker Andrea Grabow, and their struggle with the unemployment crisis.

Organizers estimates of turnout for Honolulu march for Black Lives Matter on Saturday between 5k to 10k, with one saying 20k.  You can view the Hawaii News Now news clip of the statewide actions here, and some social media of the actions on HHN here.

Weekend COVID cases rise as state figures out a plan to welcome visitors back (KHON, June 8, 2020)

20 new cases were reported in Hawaii over the weekend. Governor Ige is planning to announce soon whether the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travelers will be extended.

Outdoor dining available to help O’ahu restaurants get back on their feet (KITV, June 5, 2020)

Now that restaurants in Oahu are open again, any restaurant abutting city and county property such as parks or sidewalks will have privilege of setting up outdoor dining.  This includes some relaxed liquor license rules.  The restaurants still have to allow 36″ clearance for sidewalks and other restrictions. Full details here.

Daily visitor arrivals into Hawaii near 600 Thursday (Star Advertiser, June 5, 2020)

546 recreational visitors came in one day despite the 14-day quarantine.

Program will close main Waikiki thoroughfare to vehicles 4 Sundays this summer (Hawaii News Now, June 5, 2020)

Kalakaua Avenue will be closed from 6am to 12pm on four Sundays to create a pedestrian thoroughfare for residents to visit, shop and eat and presumably have free reign to walk around.

Bars, movie theaters and gyms on Oahu given a date for reopening (Hawaii News Now, June 5, 2020)

These businesses (Including “Indoor attractions” such as “bowling alleys, arcades, mini golf, movie theatres, museums, and other similar indoor entertainment facilities”) would be allowed to reopen on June 19 with certain conditions and limitations such as following social distancing rules.

The Head Of Hawaii’s Unemployment Office Is On Leave (Civil Beat, June 5, 2020)

No details on the nature of leave, though it’s mentioned he got death threats and is escorted to and from work by law enforcement.  Thousands of people still haven’t gotten their UI claims.

To Break the Power of the Police, We Need to Mobilize the Power of Labor (June 3, 2020)

Excerpt: “Some unions, including the ATU, have given a glimpse of the best of American labor — one at the forefront of fighting all forms of oppression. In Brooklyn, when the police attempted to use a city bus last week to transport arrested protesters, the bus driver stepped off and refused to drive it. His union backed him up. In Minneapolis, after a rank-and-file bus driver declined to transport police, his ATU local issued a statement affirming members’ right to refuse to assist police operations. The national Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents workers from San Francisco to New York, issued a statement saying their drivers are under no obligation to act as police chauffeurs.”

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 7.1M (+500k). Deaths: 406k (+12k).

USA: Cases: 1.96M (+70k). Deaths: 111k (+1.9k).

Hawaii: Cases: 676 (+12). Deaths: 17 (+0). Hospitalized: 84 (+1). Recovered: 618 (+4)

Thu. 6/4/20: COVID-19 Update

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Congress approves sweeping changes to PPP. Here are the details – Washington Business Journal. 

These modifications to the PPP program were originally part of the HEROES Act, which Senate Republicans vowed would never pass because they were against a different part of that act which would have extended the $600 monthly supplemental unemployment benefit.

So instead, legislators both Democrat and Republican passed this legislation, which helps businesses and hurts workers, without winning anything for working people. Further weakening of the rules is likely.

The basic provisions:

  • Instead of having to pay out 75% of the PPP money to workers, business now only have to pay out 60%.
  • Instead of having to spend the money in 8 weeks, businesses have 24 weeks or until December 31.
  • Small businesses that did not rehire employees, hire new employees or return to the same level of business as before the virus can have their loans forgiven anyway.
  • Businesses that got PPP funds can now also get a tax credit to defer payroll taxes (even as they use PPP money to pay payroll) – which was prohibited before as “double dipping.”
  • For those that do have to repay the loans, they will have 5 years to do so instead of 2.
  • More time to rehire employees.

One-Third of America’s Record Unemployment Payout Hasn’t Arrived – Bloomberg News. 

Bloomberg estimates that $67 billion in unemployment benefits from March, April and May still has not been paid out.

Hawaii Island, Maui resorts lay off more than 900 employees – Pacific Business News. 

Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Westin Maui both issued WARN notices.

Food demands in Hawaii increase as unemployment insurance complaints continue – Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

Before the pandemic, 1 out of 8 Hawaii residents were already struggling with food security. Nonprofits like the Hawaii Foodbank are struggling to meet the growing demand due to the layoffs caused by COVID-19.

HTA chief announces retirement amid crisis for Hawaii tourism industry – Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

Chris Tatum (former general manager of Waikiki Beach Marriott) is retiring from the HTA board as of August 31.

A Short History of U.S. Law Enforcement Infiltrating Protests – The Intercept. 

As the title states, this article provides a useful look at law enforcement infiltrating leftist movements and what they have done once they’re in to try to destroy those movements.

Don’t Balance The Budget On The Backs Of The Working Class – editorial by Andrea Brower, published in Honolulu Civil Beat. 

Excerpt: “In the new plantation economy, Hawaii provides cheap labor, natural “resources” (i.e., aina), infrastructure and direct public treasury support in exchange for low-wage jobs and an inflated cost of living. Compared to the profits they extract, multinational companies pay little back to the people and land that create it. A change in form, but not in function, from plantation days of the past.”

Excerpt: “Hawaii already had the distinction of being the state where residents are “most likely” to live paycheck to paycheck. Compared to other states, we have the highest cost of living and the lowest paid workers.”

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 6.6M. Deaths: 389k .

USA: Cases: 1.87M.  Deaths: 108.2k.

Hawaii: Cases:  655.  Deaths: 17.  Hospitalized: 83. Recovered: 61

Mon. 6/1/20: COVID-19 Update

WED. 6/3/20: FACEBOOK LIVE TOWN HALL

Our next Facebook Live Town Hall is this Wednesday, June 3 at 5:00pm featuring Local 5 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Eric Gill, Hawaii State Senator Laura Thielen, and two frontline hospitality workers who work in the hotel industry and Honolulu Airport.

Our elected officials and corporate executives push forward on reopening Hawaii business and tourism, yet have done little to prioritize the frontline workers who keep these businesses running. The Hawaii State Legislature decided to put over $1.6 billion in state and federal funding into a “rainy day” fund rather than healthcare coverage, unemployment benefits, or other services that could help hundreds of thousands of Hawaii residents and their families.

Over 700 frontline workers at HMS Host who work at Honolulu Airport, Lihue Airport, and Kahului Airport will lose their medical coverage on June 4, as the state prepares to end the quarantine for inter-island travel.

This is money that could also be used to pay for the testing of visitors and frontline workers to ensure that our communities are kept safe from COVID-19.

Watch the Town Hall live: share your questions and concerns about reopening Hawaii, the future of Hawaii’s working class, public health and safety, and more.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Pandemic Job Losses In Hawaii Curb Cash Flow To Families Abroad – Honolulu Civil Beat

Many Hawaii workers, including our Local 5 members, send money to support family living abroad. According to the World Bank, these global remittances are expected to fall 20% because of COVID-19.

This article features two Local 5 members: Sheraton Maui worker Celia Arcilla and Sheraton Waikiki worker Judith Ramirez.

Special food distribution for laid-off hotel workers – KITV 4

Kaiser Permanente distributed fresh produce and food to over 500 Local 5 families on Sunday, May 31. “Many Kaiser Permanente employees at Moanalua Medical Center and facilities across the state are also represented by Local 5 so it is especially gratifying to see union brothers and sisters helping each other,” said Eric Gill, Unite Here Local 5’s Financial Secretary-Treasurer.

The Conversation: Preparing For Tourism’s Return – Hawaii Public Radio

Our Financial Secretary-Treasurer Eric Gill spoke with Hawaii Public Radio this morning about keeping all workers safe and healthy as the state and tourism industry push to reopen.

VIDEO: Gov. David Ige to lift interisland travel quarantine on June 16 – Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Governor Ige announced that the 14-day interisland travel quarantine will be lifted for Hawaii residents on June 16.

Packed but peaceful: Black Lives Matter protesters take to streets of Oahu – Hawaii News Now

Black Lives Matter protests took place in Honolulu last Friday and Saturday. A vigil to honor the Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd was organized on Sunday.

No, We Should Not Condemn Uprisings Against Police Murders Like George Floyd’s – Jacobin. 

Excerpt: “If you care about looting, turn your eyes to the militaries, the police, the pharmaceutical companies, the private equity ghouls, the landlords, the real estate speculators, and the billionaires. And demand that a world once looted from the vast majority be now returned to them.”

Exclusive: U.S. taxpayers’ virus relief went to firms that avoided U.S. taxes – Reuters. 

Excerpt: “In all, Reuters’ analysis of public data found around 110 publicly traded companies have each received $4 million or more in emergency aid from the program.

Of those subject to taxes, 12 of the companies recently used offshore havens to cut their tax bills, the analysis found. All together, these 12 received more than $104 million in loans from U.S. taxpayers. Seven of them paid no U.S. tax at all for the past year.”

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 6.2M (+100k).  Deaths: 375k (+4k).
USA: Cases: 1.8M (+20k).  Deaths: 105k (+1k).  Total Tested: 17.3M (+400k).
Hawaii: Cases:  652 (+0).  Deaths: 17 (+0).  Hospitalized: 83 (+1). Recovered: 608 (+0).

Thu. 5/21 COVID-19 Daily Update

Local 5 on Facebook Live

Join us for another Facebook Live session, featuring youth organizers from AiKea and their campaign to register more voters! Go to www.facebook.com/uniteherehawaii/live at 5 pm!

 

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 5.1M (+100k).  Deaths: 333k (+5k).

USA: Cases: 1.57M (+20k).  Deaths: 94.7k (+1.3).  Total Tested: 13M (+400k).
Hawaii: Cases:  647 (+4).  Deaths: 17 (+0).  Hospitalized: 83 (+1). Recovered: 579 (+1).


Gov. Ige approves Kaua’i’s plan to re-open more businesses Friday (KITV, May 21, 2020)

Kauai’s hotels’ “common areas” will be allowed to reopen tomorrow, May 22nd, subject to infection control restrictions.  Kauai’s Emergency Order 10 also churches, public and private pools, outdoor-based tours, salons and barber shops, and one-one-one services including massage and personal training.

How to restart tourism? Lawmakers push the idea of requiring negative COVID-19 tests (Hawaii News  Now, May 21, 2020)

The article speaks of a “broad consensus” that pre-flight testing is the only way to revive Hawaii’s tourism industry while keeping the virus out.   Rep. Gene Ward said

he got word from the White House on Wednesday that the state can require travelers to show a negative coronavirus test before they board a flight to avoid quarantine once here.   State transportation officials have volunteered Honolulu’s airport as one of 12 test sites for the TSA to do temperature checks before flights, possibly saving Hawaii some of the $36M of COVID funds directed to airport thermal cameras.

Maui County sets a date for allowing dining in at restaurants (Hawaii News Now, May 21, 2020)

Maui dine in restaurant service will be allowed on June 5th, drive through religious services and salons will start reopening on Friday and Monday, respectively.

Hawaii unemployment passes 22% in April (Star Advertiser, May 21, 2020)

The state is saying is using a total workforce of 627,450, out of that, 139,900 are unemployed leading to a statewide rate of 22.3% in April.  However, we know around 220,000 people filed for unemployment and there is still a backlog of UI claims so this unemployment rate may be low.

AFL-CIO sues OSHA for coronavirus standard, says ‘Trump administration refuses to act’ (Fox Business, May 18, 2020)

Airline catering company lays off Kauai, Hawaii Island employees due to Covid (Pacific Business News, May 21, 2020)

Flying Food issues WARN lay off notice for workers on outer islands after laying off its 500+ workers on Oahu in April.

Strikes erupt as US essential workers demand protection amid pandemic (The Guardian, May 19, 2020)

Workers have started taking direct action in response to corporate apathy about safety and quality of life.

COVID-19 Strike Wave Interactive Map (Pay Day Report)

This site is gathering data in map form on actions and wildcat strikes that have taken place around the country, so far it has gathered 220 of various sizes and types.  The list is far from exhaustive and fails to capture all the worker strikes and actions that have taken place.

CDC quietly releases detailed guidelines for reopening America (CNBC, May 20, 2020)

Guidelines are quietly released after the Trump administration shelved the long-awaited CDC reopening guidance earlier this month.

 

Wed. 5/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

US beaches begin reopening, with restrictions varying from state to state – ABC News

This national news story features Wendy Perez, who works at the front desk at Waikiki Beach Marriott.

COVID-19-related U.S. travel job losses double national unemployment at the height of the Great Depression – Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

This article includes quotes from Miles Quartero, a bellman at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Trump threatens funds for states offering absentee, mail-in voting amid coronavirus pandemic – Associated Press. 

Trump’s threats are a straight-up attempt to crush democracy by making it harder for people to vote. His claims about election fraud are simply not true, as was clearly documented here right after the last election. But Trump is not alone in wanting to stop people from voting: for many years now, the right has been carrying out several strategies to suppress the votes of anyone they think will not vote for their favorite candidates:

One piece of that is gerrymandering – there is a good investigative report about that which looks at over 70,000 documents, maps and emails of one of the masterminds of the plan (which his daughter made public after he recently passed away).

Another big piece is removing voters from the voter registry, as documented here and here.

Another piece involves taking away certain people’s right to vote, such as people who were once convicted of felonies (and because the criminal justice system has racial biases built into it, that group of people is disproportionately non-white). More about that here.

One piece is about dismantling the Postal Service, which would make mail-in elections impossible – as described here.

Some of it involves simply throwing ballots away without looking at them, such as in this case.

‘The Corruption Is on Full Display: Trump Executive Order Directs All Agencies to Gut Business Regulations Amid Covid-19 – Common Dreams. 

The Trump administration is not only putting itself above the law, it is trying to get rid of regulations that ensure the health, safety, sanitation, clean environment, etc. for working people. Why would they do that? Because having to follow regulations costs corporations money, and getting rid of them would give corporations bigger profits, even if it means working people will suffer and die as a result.

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 5.0M (+100k).  Deaths: 328k (+6k).
USA: Cases: 1.55M (+30k).  Deaths: 93.4k (+1.6).  Total Tested: 12.6M (+400k).
Hawaii: Cases:  643 (+2).  Deaths: 17 (+0).  Hospitalized: 82 (+0). Recovered: 578 (+0).