September 2016 Workers Lead Bulletin

Ka’anapali Beach Club workers rally, Marriott housekeepers take their lunch break, and more. Read below for more of our Local 5  victories. (Printable PDF version of our August 2016 Workers Lead Bulletin: English and Chinese.)

Waikiki Beach Marriott Bibingka Break

IMG_272788% of Waikiki Beach Marriott housekeepers said they don’t take their lunch break because they have to clean too many checkout rooms. Housekeepers Mimi and Maria organized a “Bibingka Break,” inviting their coworkers to take their lunch break and eat bibingka. 82% of the housekeepers took their break that day! We should all be able to take our lunch breaks every day!

Sheraton Waikiki worker leaders delegate General Manager

2016-08-08 07.18.38Sheraton Waikiki housekeeping committee leaders met with General Manager Kelly Sanders to discuss their workload issues. They asked him if they could get 3 credits instead of 2 for cleaning suites with 5 beds in order to reduce their workload, and he agreed! Good job to these workers for taking charge!

Ka’anapali Beach Club workers rally for a fair contract

2016-08-11 08.49.55Ka’anapali Beach Club workers on Maui are fighting for a fair contract. They organized rallies, with huge support from guests and the community. They passed out leaflets to spread awareness to timeshare buyers about their rights (KBC is owned by Diamond Resorts International, a major timeshare company.)

AiKea Youth Celebration

14022284_10205364592473107_2300613179031706534_nWe held an AiKea Youth Celebration to honor the youth who participated in our Organizing Beyond Barriers internship and AiKea Youth Academy. They spent their summer organizing a working people’s movement. Mahalo to the students from Pearl City, Waipahu, and Farrington High and AiKea at UH who came to celebrate!

NLRB issues 2nd complaint this year against Aqua-Aston

2016.09.02 NLRB 2nd complaint Aqua-AstonThe National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against Aqua-Aston Hospitality for allegedly surveilling, targeting, and violating the rights of pro-union workers. Aston already lost at trial earlier this year for some of the same allegations. Mahalo Aston Waikiki Beach workers Cecilia Aradanas, Tino Fabro, & Edgar Guzman for continuing to fight!

AiKea UH Student Housing action

2016-08-19 13.57.42AiKea UH organizers passed out leaflets to students moving into the dorms, informing them about the terrible student housing conditions and AiKea’s plan to help change the student housing contract. We sponsored lures at a nearby Pokemon stop to attract people to the area. We passed out over 300 leaflets and caught plenty of Pokemon!

Ramada Hotel workers: we deserve edible, quality food

2016.08.25 Ramada Hotel petitionRamada Hotel shop stewards Mila and Edwin, along with worker leaders throughout the hotel, delegated management and delivered a petition for better food quality. Workers deserve edible, quality food when they work hard for a company that profits from their hard labor! #WorkersLead

Waikiki Resort workers demand respect, address short staffing

2016.08.25 Waikiki Resort delegation copy copyWaikiki Resort shop steward Jin Park delegated HR and delivered a petition signed by our members, demanding that workers be treated with respect and addressing short staffing issues. #WorkersLead

Local 5 stands in solidarity with the Trump Taj Mahal workers

14040001_1774945026078029_6446128174016553628_nLocal 5 organizer Marsha joined the Trump Taj Mahal workers’ strike in Atlantic City! They have been on strike for 57 days because they were left with no other choice. One of the richest men on the planet, Carl Icahn, stripped away healthcare, retirement and other benefits from the workers at the Taj Mahal Casino over 22 months ago. The workers have been fighting billionaire Carl Icahn to win back what they worked so hard to achieve. #UniteAC

Here’s how you can help the UNITE HERE Local 54 Trump Taj Mahal workers: https://www.gofundme.com/trumptajstrike

Waikiki Beach Marriott Bibingka Break

IMG_2724 copy88% of Waikiki Beach Marriott housekeepers said they don’t take their lunch break because they have to clean too many checkout rooms. As a result, 91% said they suffer pain or injury on the job.

Today, we invited them to take their lunch break and eat bibingka with us. 82% of the housekeepers took their break today! We should all be able to take our lunch breaks every day!

View all photos on our Facebook page.

Maui hotel workers stand with the Handlery Hotel San Diego!

2016.08.17 KBC Local 30 solidarityMaui hotel workers stand in solidarity with the Handlery Hotel San Diego workers who are members of UNITE HERE Local 30 and are fighting for a fair contract. Last week, Brett Behana, a Handlery Hotel worker and Local 30 member, stood with Ka’anapali Beach Club workers who are also fighting for a fair contract. Much aloha, Brett & Local 30!