Marriott Strike: Day 49 bulletin

View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 49 bulletin here.

View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 48.

Growing Community & Political Support.

Gary Hooser, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii spoke with Jason Ito and sent a follow-up letter requesting a meeting on behalf of an over-20 member coalition of Democratic Party leaders, Faith-Based leaders, Native Hawaiian Groups, Cultural and Civic Clubs, as well as student civic organizations affiliated with UH. “As stated, the purpose of this meeting would be for a statewide group of community leaders to express both our concerns and our willingness to help resolve the extended labor dispute between your company and UniteHere Local 5.” They are demanding to meet next week!

Strike Benefit:

Starting with this Wednesday’s check and going forward, the weekly strike benefit will increase to $500.

Strike Assistance:

Starting immediately, a NEW strike assistance committee is available to support you at the Strike HQ, 7 days a week, 10:30a-4:30p. Come learn what your options are to help get through the strike. Come see us—you may see some familiar faces—co-workers and an old friend Laura Moye.

Monday Action:

Tomorrow, wear your red shirts! We’ll be doing Day 50 Shibuya @ Moana! At 10am in support of our negotiating team!!

News coverage:

Marriott Strike: Day 48 bulletin

View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 48 bulletin here.

View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 47.

The Holidays Are Here

In the last bargaining, Kyo-ya walked away from the table without giving a response to the Union’s proposal as a test to see if we would break during Thanksgiving.

It turned into a holiday many of us will remember forever. We were blessed with beautiful weather, family and fellowship. Our beach Thanksgiving had chow fun, pancit, sushi, basmati rice, and every dessert you could think of along side turkey and stuffing. We served everybody: houseless folks, college students, locals, tourists, and strikers.

This is who we are—even as we struggle, we still give. So we passed their test. Now it is Kyo-ya who is being tested—tested to see if they can re-earn their reputation as a decent Employer and positive contributor to the community.

Caroling action

Yesterday, our community supporters from UFCW Local 480, Democratic Socialists of Honolulu, and more led a protest caroling action. We ended caroling in the lobby of the Sheraton Waikiki letting the guests know in the merriest way possible that the community stands with the workers.

News coverage:

Marriott Strike: Day 47 bulletin

View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 47 bulletin here.

View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 46.

Thanksgiving Feast:

Our Thanksgiving feasts in Waikiki and Maui were a huge success! Strikers feasted on turkey, lechon baboy (roast pig), side dishes, and desserts. Thanks to our Local 5 cooks who cooked and prepared the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more. Thanks to everyone who helped serve the food.

Thank you to everyone who brought a dish to share. Thanks to community supporters for donating food for our Thanksgiving feasts.

“I am thankful for the camaraderie, everybody stepping up, and not leaving each other behind.” — Pat Ongjoco, Sheraton Waikiki cook.

Get the “One Job” logo printed on your old shirts:

For Black Friday today, UH students will be at The Moana Surfrider to offer free screen printing of shirts. Bring a blank cotton shirt with you to the Moana Surfrider picket line today from 1pm-3pm if you want the “One Job Should Be Enough” logo screen printed on your shirt.

News coverage:

Marriott Strike: Day 46 bulletin

View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 46 bulletin here.

View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 45.

By Eric Gill, Financial Secretary-Treasurer:

Thanksgiving Day 2018 is our 46th day on strike, and this Thanksgiving Day, members of Local 5 have many blessings to count.

We give thanks for the new strength we have found in ourselves.
We give thanks for the new strength and unity we have built with our co-workers.
We give thanks for the support and encouragement we receive from our friends, family and neighbors as we fight for what everyone needs.
We give thanks for the many new leaders among us that have stepped forward.
We give thanks for the Local 5 members from other properties who’ve been supporting us.
We give thanks for the other unions that have extended the hand of friendship and solidarity.

Soon, we will be able to give thanks for the best contract we have ever negotiated.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

News coverage:

Marriott Strike: Day 45 bulletin

View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 45 bulletin here.

View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 44.

Yesterday, Local 5 properties that are not on strike had committee meetings and pledged to increase the support and walk the picket lines with our brothers and sisters on strike. Several members on strike shared their stories of how they have grown and what this strike means to them.

“Money comes and goes; this strike is more than that. We have created this special bond. What we learned about ourselves and each other, the company can never take away from us.” — Robert Valera, Sheraton Waikiki, Engineering

The growth, solidarity, strength, and courage of the strikers was felt by the committee at the support properties. The commitment to monetary contributions is reflected as donations are being given every day.

“I am supporting my brothers and sisters on strike because it is the right thing to do. Uniting in one direction is our way of winning a fair contract. I know that this is the way to secure the medical and the future for my family.” — Evangeline Bautista, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Housekeeping

Thanksgiving Reminder: Sign-up for potluck (Side Dish and Dessert)

News coverage:

Statement from Local 5 re: negotiations with Kyo-ya and Marriott

Statement from Robert Valera, a Sheraton Waikiki worker on strike and a member of our negotiations committee. He has been to every single negotiations with Kyo-ya and Marriott:

“We’re hoping that Kyo-ya and Marriott can come back to bargaining table with a true settlement offer.” A true settlement offer is one that looks at the true cost of living and working in Hawaii and brings us toward the goal of all workers: One Job Should Be Enough.

In recent bargaining, union workers were disappointed that the employer declined to offer enough money for the wage increases and benefits that workers need to make one job enough to live in Hawaii. We offered a counter proposal to the company. They wouldn’t respond to our proposal, ended bargaining, and won’t meet with us again until next Monday, November 26.

Other cities don’t compare to either the profitability of Hawaii’s hotel industry or Hawaii’s cost of living. Hawaii’s hotel industry is making record profits, enjoying the nation’s highest revenue figures and driving very high occupancy rates. Meanwhile, Hawaii workers are facing big cost increases for everything from housing to food to gasoline.

Wages have not kept up with rising costs. While disappointed that no settlement was reached last Friday, we remain hopeful that the employer will make a true settlement offer next Monday. A true settlement offer is one that looks at the true cost of living and working in Hawaii and brings us toward the goal of all workers: One Job Should Be Enough.