July 2017 Workers Lead Bulletin

Hundreds rally in solidarity with the Ilikai workers, the Queen Kapiolani bell department wins $1946.50, worker-led delegations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Sheraton Waikiki, and more. Read below for more Local 5 victories. (Printable PDF version of our July 2017 Workers Lead Bulletin: English and Chinese.)

Hundreds rally for Equal Work, Equal Pay

img_8687Hundreds of Local 5 members and the Summer Institute for Union Women (SIUW) rallied in support of the workers at The Ilikai Hotel, a subsidiary of Aqua-Aston Hospitality. They 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.

Local 5 is Hawaii’s Best Union for second year in a row

2017-06-05-star-advertiser-hawaiis-best-ad-print-readyWe were voted Hawaii’s Best Union for the second year in a row! Mahalo to our Local 5 members for making this possible. We proudly serve our state, our country, our economy.

 

Sheraton Waikiki Rumfire workers continue to build power in workplace

2017-06-07-13-25-55Workers from Rumfire in Sheraton Waikiki delegated human resources and delivered a petition signed by over 75% of their room demanding respect in the workplace. They had a follow up delegation with management to demand respect on the job. Stay tuned for updates on the workers’ next steps to unite, build power, and create positive change in their workplace.

Workers at the Hale Koa’s Bibas Courtyard Grill featured in Star-Advertiser

web1_20170630-0881-bsn-bibasThe Star-Advertiser featured our members at the Hale Koa’s Bibas Courtyard Grill in their July 6 paper. Bibas was struggling for years & the hotel wanted to shut it down. But our member-led Food & Beverage Success Committee stepped in helped turn the restaurant around. Workers called for menu revisions, better marketing, etc. Read the full story here.

Hilton Hawaiian Village housekeepers fight for fair workload

2017-05-26-hhv-housekeeping-delegationHilton Hawaiian Village housekeepers delegated the HR director to address concerns about the new timeshare tower, the Grand Islander. Housekeepers are struggling to clean its rooms because they are larger and have hardwood floors and glass showers. They scheduled a follow up meeting to further discuss the room credits.

Queen Kapiolani bell department wins $1946.50

2017-05-26-queen-k-bell-departmentQueen Kapiolani bell department workers did not receive porterage from some special groups staying at the hotel. With the help of their shop stewards Theresa Trimmer and Josie Flora, they won $1946.50 total.

June 2017 Workers Lead Bulletin

Hale Koa’s Bibas Courtyard Grill workers turn their struggling restaurant around, a Kaiser worker wins back pay and a promotion, and more. Read below for more Local 5 victories. (Printable PDF version of our June 2017 Workers Lead Bulletin: English and Chinese.)

Over 700+ workers attend 2017 Workers Day March & Rally

2017-05-24-workers-lead-bulletin 2017-05-24-workers-lead-bulletin-chinese ssl_6033_aikeaOn May 1, we organized an International Workers Day on March & Rally with 27 other unions and organizations. Over 700 came to stand up for workers’ rights. With the looming threat of federal legislation that would hurt working families (like the National “Right to Work” bill), we showed our power and solidarity.

Civil Beat covers Hawaii Care & Cleaning (HCC) workers’ victory

unite-local-5-union-members-file-4-640x433Local 5 members Jasmine Marbou, Flordelito Basol, and Virgil Kodep were recently featured in a Honolulu Civil Beat story about the Hawaii Care and Cleaning (HCC) workers’ victory. 58 current and former HCC workers, subcontracted by Hilton Hawaiian Village to do night cleaning, will be paid over $1.1 million in a grievance settlement over stolen wages.

Hale Koa’s Bibas Courtyard Grill workers turn their struggling restaurant around

2017-05-26-08-39-29Hale Koa Hotel’s Bibas Courtyard Grill was struggling for years and the hotel wanted to shut it down. But our member-led Food & Beverage Success Committee stepped in and helped turn the restaurant around. Workers called for menu revisions, better marketing, etc. For the first time in 6 years, Bibas saw a profit. These workers will be leading a panel teaching others of their success! These workers will be leading a panel teaching others of their success! The webinar panel will be on Thursday, June 1 at 9:00a Hawai’i time. Register here.

Airbnb’s bad bill is killed!

2017-05-02-airbnb-sb704-killedFor two years, Airbnb has been trying to pass a bad bill in the State Legislature. It would legitimize their business model and shield illegal vacation rentals, which takes away housing from locals. Because we stood up and fought back, SB704 (Airbnb’s bad bill) has been killed! Next, we’ll be working on passing Res. 17-52 (Honolulu City & County) to protect our affordable housing.

Hilton Hawaiian Village bell clerk wins back pay

2017-04-21-hhv-bell-clerk-ann-ancheta-filterAnna Ancheta, a bell clerk at the Hilton Hawaiian Village filed a grievance with the Contract Enforcement Team because she was not offered a work opportunity by seniority. She won $182.11 as a result.

 

Kaiser maintenance worker wins promotion and back pay

2017-05-24-kaiser-ray-domingo-maintenanceRay Domingo (General Maintenance Worker at Kaiser Permanente) filed a grievance for not being promoted to a higher classification. With the help of Shop Steward David Poventud, Ray was able to attain $2,191.35 in back pay as well as a promotion to General Maintenance Technician.

Workers at Hale Koa Hotel’s Bibas Courtyard Grill turn the struggling restaurant around

2017-05-26-08-39-29Hale Koa Hotel’s Bibas Courtyard Grill was struggling for years and the hotel wanted to shut it down. But our member-led Food & Beverage Success Committee stepped in and helped turn the restaurant around. Workers called for menu revisions, better marketing, etc. For the first time in 6 years, Bibas saw a profit. These workers will be leading a panel teaching others of their success! The webinar panel will be on Thursday, June 1 at 9:00a Hawai’i time. Register here.

Sheraton Waikiki Rumfire workers delegate HR

2017-05-24-14-04-16-2Workers take action! Over a dozen workers from Rumfire in Sheraton Waikiki delegated human resources and delivered a petition signed by over 75% of their room demanding respect in the workplace.

Kaiser maintenance worker wins promotion and back pay

2017-05-24-kaiser-ray-domingo-maintenanceRay Domingo (General Maintenance Worker at Kaiser Permanente) filed a grievance for not being promoted to a higher classification. With the help of Shop Steward David Poventud, Ray was able to attain $2,191.35 in back pay as well as a promotion to General Maintenance Technician.

Hilton Hawaiian Village waithelp wins back pay

2017-04-21-hhv-bell-clerk-ann-ancheta-filterAnna Ancheta, a bell clerk at the Hilton Hawaiian Village filed a grievance with the Contract Enforcement Team because she was not offered a work opportunity by seniority. She won $182.11 as a result.