Sheraton Princess Kaiulani housekeeping delegates GM

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani housekeepingOn August 12, 2014 workers in the housekeeping department at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel said “enough is enough” and delegated their General Manager to demand changes in their department. The two issues discussed were a lack of supplies, especially linen, which is affecting their ability to give the guest what they expect and the continuing abusive behavior of their department manager Alexis. The room was packed and workers spoke from the heart and with passion. The General Manager said he would deal with the supply issues right away and would set up a follow up meeting with the group after deciding what to do with the manager.

Kaiser workers, don’t blow your pension!

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii pensionKaiser workers had tons of fun blowing bubbles, but it’s no fun to blow your pension. So don’t blow your pension!

Kaiser is trying to take away workers’ guaranteed pensions. That would be at least $1200/month that workers would lose when they retire. That’s something worth fighting for. Kaiser, don’t touch our pensions!

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Local 5 endorses Clayton Hee for Lieutenant Governor

hee royal hawaiianLocal 5 is proud to endorse Senator Clayton Hee for Lieutenant Governor. Senator Hee has a strong record of supporting our working families. He visited workers at the Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian (pictured left), Moana Surfrider, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. Senator Hee’s mother worked at Royal Hawaiian for over 30 years.

View more photos on our Facebook page.

Sheraton Waikiki Utility Stewarding Dept. promoted to full-time

From left to right: Aaron O., Joseph T., Einstein R., Modesto G., Felipe T.

From left to right: Aaron O., Joseph T., Einstein R., Modesto G., Felipe T.

14 workers from Sheraton Waikiki’s Utility Stewarding Department are getting promoted to full-time. Management has acknowledged that these workers have consistently worked five days a week, at least four hours a day. They won their promotion according to our CBA. Congratulations to these workers on their well-deserved promotions!

Gate Gourmet worker & students ask Governor Abercrombie to stand up for workers’ rights to healthcare

abercrombie sodexoGate Gourmet worker Leslie and two concerned students delegated Hawai’i Governor Abercrombie, informing him that the international food service company Sodexo is using a loophole in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to cut benefits to workers at college campuses by designating them as “part-time” because, as school year workers, they do not work year-round. There are Sodexo workers at the University of Hawai’i, Straub, and other companies in Hawai’i. As a food services worker, Leslie is afraid that other companies will begin taking advantage of this loophole if Sodexo is allowed to continue doing so.

They asked Governor Abercrombie to speak to President Obama and do something about this loophole in ACA. The Governor agreed to write a letter to the President, as well as the Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Thank you to Leslie and our youth for standing up for workers’ rights to healthcare!

Photo Scavenger Hunt to raise bank tellers’ pay

A local student who is concerned about bank teller pay leaves leaflets at a local American Savings Bank branch.

A local student who is concerned about bank teller pay leaves leaflets at a local American Savings Bank branch.

The AiKea Movement organized a photo scavenger hunt to raise awareness of the low wages paid to bank tellers. Participants had loads of fun taking photos of their teammates passing out leaflets and carrying banners in various locations across town. The leaflets spread awareness of this issue and call on Edward Pei (Executive Director of Hawaii Bankers Association and Kaiser Permanente Board Member) to pay workers a living wage. The leaflets also encourage any bank tellers to take this survey.

Dozens of High school students, college students, and other community members participated in the photo scavenger hunt by leafletting by the branches of some of the members of the Hawaii Bankers Association (e.g. Bank of Hawaii, American Savings Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank), as well as carrying banners at busy intersections.

View more photos on the AiKea Movement Facebook page.