This past week, The Modern Honolulu was required to pay a total of $23,543.99 in back wages owed to current and former workers! The National Labor Relations Board found that the hotel unlawfully changed employment terms and paid workers less than they were owed. Congratulations to those workers who came forward to fight alongside the Union to hold the Employer accountable!

Honolulu (April 24, 2014) – With a resounding 159-1 vote, union hotel workers at the Ala Moana Hotel ratified a new contract that will improve the lives of 327 workers and their families and bring Hawai’i a step closer to providing good jobs for everyone.

Hotel management agreed to match the new hotel contract that was settled with the other major Local 5 hotels, like Hilton Hawaiian Village. Under the terms of the new contract, Ala Moana workers will receive an extra wage increase each year until their wages catch up to those in other major hotels.  In addition, management has agreed to make the sick leave provisions at Ala Moana match those in other hotels.

This is the first time in 27 years that the Ala Moana Hotel workers will receive the same pay and benefits that the major hotels get. When totaling the hourly wage, full family medical coverage, and guaranteed pension that these hotel workers receive, that amounts to around $31 an hour. Bringing another hotel up to that level brings Hawaii’s working people closer to achieving $31 for everyone.

“Today, we ratified and voted yes. Everyone is happy and satisfied with the new contract. After so many years, we finally received what we deserve and are being recognized like the other hotels in Waikiki,” says Liza Pintor, who works in the accounting department at Ala Moana Hotel.

Additionally, Ala Moana workers will not have to worry about falling behind in the next contract. Hotel management has already agreed to match everything that Hilton Hawaiian Village workers get in their next contract.

“We are so happy to get exactly what we’ve always wanted,” says seamstress Susanna Ramos, “We now have secure jobs and a secure future.”

The contract will expire in 2023 or at the end of the duration of the next Hilton Hawaiian Village agreement, whichever is longer.

Local 5 represents approximately 10,000 workers throughout Hawaii who work in the hospitality, health care and food service industries and is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, an international union that represents over 250,000 workers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.unitehere5.org.

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SB 2054, which will require state-regulated health plans to provide coverage for those with autism spectrum disorders, will be heard by the conference committee on Monday, April 21 at 8:50 AM.  We support the bill and urge the committee to maintain the coverage until age 21 and with the originally proposed (or higher) annual and lifetime limits. Kaiser’s proposed age limit of 6 is absolutely shameful. Please submit testimony before the hearing and urge your legislators to pass the bill.

We’ve also been collecting signatures of those who believe Kaiser should support the needs of people with autism spectrum disorders. Please sign our petition if you believe so.