Alliance National Bargaining kicks off for Kaiser workers
At the beginning of May, Local 5 Kaiser members traveled to California to participate in the first national bargaining session with the Alliance of Healthcare Unions and Kaiser Permanente. Meanwhile, Kaiser workers across the Alliance, including Local 5 members throughout Hawaii, helped to kick off bargaining by showing their solidarity with a social media poster action expressing why this campaign is important to them.
Alliance members united to show Kaiser: We are ready to bargain for the best wages, staffing and patient care, address the impacts of AI, and partnership effectiveness! Bargaining continues on the local and national levels with more rounds of negotiations scheduled in the coming weeks. Contracts expire at the end of September for nearly 1,900 Local 5 Kaiser workers.
Back-to-back tentative agreements at Turtle Bay Resort and Ala Moana Hotel
On May 22, we reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay and secured the Waikiki Standard. As part of the agreement, recreation attendant workers were added to the CBA and won life changing wage increases along with the dignity and respect that comes with having a fair contract.
On May 23, one day after Turtle Bay workers reached a TA, Local 5 members at the Ala Moana Hotel also reached a tentative agreement and secured the Waikiki Standard. The Shop Steward program at the hotel resulted in a significant grievance settlement for the housekeeping department.
The number of Local 5 hotel properties that have won record setting contracts continues to grow and would not be possible without the strikers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village who fought for good jobs that benefit our community, not just corporations.
May Day March and Rally in solidarity with federal workers
On International Worker’s Day, hundreds of Hawaii union workers from over 20 local unions marched and rallied in solidarity with federal workers who are losing their collective bargaining and union rights. Local 5 members at the Hale Koa hotel are among the federal workers affected by the recent executive orders issued by the current administration and face the threat of losing union representation. Despite the threats, leaders at the Hale Koa have stepped up to defend their union and each other. They are committed to sticking together in solidarity knowing that the power that comes from workers being united cannot be easily taken away by any government or corporation.
Click here to view recap video featuring Hale Koa worker Earlaina Samson and FST Cade Watanabe.
Members participate in OSHA enforcement training blitz and delegate management over safety concerns
18 Local 5 members from various hotel properties participated in a one-week OSHA training blitz where they learned about workers’ rights on the job relating to health and safety and how to enforce them. At the end of the blitz, workers delegated management about health and safety concerns in their workplaces, and as reported by their co-workers in a survey of over 500 Local 5 members.
These blitzers and other members committed to join the safety committee to address health and safety hazards on the job that affect them and their co-workers. In the coming months, they will follow up on safety concerns and work to hold management accountable to maintain a safe work environment.
HMSHost HNL workers begin bargaining
On May 7, HMSHost HNL workers gathered for the first round of negotiations with the company. Over a hundred workers showed up to fill the room and tell the company that we are ready to fight for historic wage increases, union healthcare, pension, and proper staffing–but most importantly, respect. During negotiations, workers told the company that we are worth the proposals and are willing to fight for the respect we deserve. On the shop floor, workers plan to continue the pressure with more actions.
Doubletree workers push management for the Waikiki Standard with delegation and petition
Doubletree Alana hotel workers delegated the General Manager and delivered a petition calling on the company to settle their contract that has been expired since the end of 2024. Committee leaders Flora, Agnes, Brandy, and Flordeliza stepped up to lead the delegation and make it clear to management that Doubletree workers deserve nothing less than the Waikiki Standard.
