Support the Kyo-Ya Waikiki concierges, tour/activities, and dining desk workers

The best places to work have a culture where workers feel valued and respected. Equality in treatment is important in building this culture. When we as workers feel a sense of community and shared purpose, we become a working family and the company thrives. Why then does Kyo-Ya believe it is okay to subcontract some of our family? What does it mean for us if they go unchallenged?

On October 26, 2017, concierges, tour/activities, and dining desk workers at all four Waikiki properties were told they will no longer be working for the Kyo-ya family. Instead, they will have to work for a subcontractor or take severance and leave. What makes this even more terrible is the fact that this announcement was made after a group of concierges requested a fair process to join the Union on October 3, 2017. They wanted equal treatment and the same opportunity given to pool workers who joined the Union.

“We gave everything to this company. We dedicated ourselves to build relationships with our loyal guests and contributed to the growth of our company. Kyo-ya benefited from our knowledge, experience, and expertise and now they decided not to be loyal to us. We feel betrayed and deeply hurt. This is not the company I knew,” says Terry Linthicum, concierge at Sheraton Waikiki.

Local 5 is calling on all members to make a stand right now. Start by wearing our campaign button which demands that the company end subcontracting. Wear the button every day and sign our petition so we can show unity and defend our Kyo-ya family.

WEAR YOUR BUTTON EVERY DAY UNTIL WE WIN!

UPDATED: Health & Welfare Sessions

Do you have any of these questions about your Local 5 Health & Welfare benefits?

  • What do I do when my doctor is not participating in the health plan (non participating provider)?
  • What should I do if I am being pushed to pay a bill that I don’t think is right?
  • How do I find out what is covered and what is not?
  • What pharmacies are available for medical i.e. injectables and/or prescription drugs?
  • Why am I being asked to fill out paperwork that I did not have to fill out before?
  • Anything else?

If so, attend any of our upcoming Health & Welfare Info Sessions:

Date Hotel Time Room
Mon. 11/6 Sheraton Princess Kaiulani 11:00am – 4:30pm Ilima Room
Tue. 11/7 Moana Surfrider 11:00am – 4:30pm Parlor Room
Thu. 11/9 Hilton Hawaiian Village 11:00am – 4:30pm Training Room
Mon. 11/13 Hyatt Regency Waikiki 11:00am – 3:30pm Leahi Room
Thu. 11/16 Sheraton Waikiki & Royal Hawaiian 11:00am – 4:30pm Po’okela
Mon. 11/27 Royal Kona Resort 11:00am – 2:30pm Discovery Room
Tue. 11/28 Marriott Waikoloa 7:30am – 1:00pm Cafe
Wed. 11/29 Marriott Waikiki 12:00pm – 4:30pm Associates Lounge
Mon. 12/11 Sheraton Kauai 10:00am – 4:00pm Training Room
Wed. 12/13 The Kahala 11:00am – 5:00pm Kainoa 2
Mon. 12/18 UNITE HERE Local 5 12:00pm – 5:00pm Conference Room
Tue. 12/19 Turtle Bay Resort 11:00am – 4:30pm Training Room
Wed. 12/20 Ala Moana Hotel 12:00pm – 5:00pm Training Room
Thu. 12/21 Sheraton Maui 11:00am – 5:00pm Training Room

Bring your bills and relevant paperwork to make sure you are not being overbilled and to get help to straighten out any problems you may be experiencing.

Representatives from PSWA (Claims Administrator) and BRMS (Trust Administrator) will be on hand to assist you. See you there!

Nearly 900 participate in Union Day of Action in Honolulu

Nearly 900 Local 5 members, other unions, and community supporters came to our Union Day of Action at The Ilikai, where workers walked off the job. Management reached out to us in the middle of the action to talk about a pathway to settlement. This is a huge victory and a lesson we need to take with us into 2018: when workers are strong and united, it sends the message loud and clear to our employers.

View our photos on our Facebook page.

Thu. 10/19 – Union Day of Action

Thursday, October 19, 2017

4:00p – 6:00p

The Ilikai Hotel (1777 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815)

Now, more than ever, it’s time for working people to take a stand—and stand together. UNITE HERE will be mobilizing more than 20,000 members in 40 cities across the U.S. & Canada to show that standing together in union is the best way to create an economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthiest 1%.

Our Honolulu action will be at the historic Ilikai Hotel, operated by Aqua-Aston Hospitality—the largest hotel operator in Hawai’i. Union workers at the Ilikai are working more for less. They are paid $3.51/hour less than the union hotel workers across the street, and they have to clean rooms that are much larger with full-sized kitchens.. We must demand from Aqua-Aston and other hotel corporations that Hawai’i wants the union standard, not the Aqua-Aston standard.

For more information, visit our Facebook event.

To find actions in other cities, visit the UNITE HERE website.

Sheraton Maui worker wins Legacy Award

Congratulations to Joyce Tihada for winning the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association’s Legacy Award! Joyce has worked at the Sheraton Maui for 51 years and is a Local 5 Executive Board Member.

Kahala housekeepers demand fair workload

Housekeepers at The Kahala Resort delegated HR to demand fair workload. Some housekeepers are cleaning way more rooms than others. Managers are also making housekeepers go to different floors even when they already have bidded floors. The HR director agreed to meet with the housekeeping director to fix the issues and will get back to the housekeepers next week.