Statement from Local 5 re: negotiations with Kyo-ya and Marriott
Statement from Robert Valera, a Sheraton Waikiki worker on strike and a member of our negotiations committee. He has been to every single negotiations with Kyo-ya and Marriott:
“We’re hoping that Kyo-ya and Marriott can come back to bargaining table with a true settlement offer.” A true settlement offer is one that looks at the true cost of living and working in Hawaii and brings us toward the goal of all workers: One Job Should Be Enough.
In recent bargaining, union workers were disappointed that the employer declined to offer enough money for the wage increases and benefits that workers need to make one job enough to live in Hawaii. We offered a counter proposal to the company. They wouldn’t respond to our proposal, ended bargaining, and won’t meet with us again until next Monday, November 26.
Other cities don’t compare to either the profitability of Hawaii’s hotel industry or Hawaii’s cost of living. Hawaii’s hotel industry is making record profits, enjoying the nation’s highest revenue figures and driving very high occupancy rates. Meanwhile, Hawaii workers are facing big cost increases for everything from housing to food to gasoline.
Wages have not kept up with rising costs. While disappointed that no settlement was reached last Friday, we remain hopeful that the employer will make a true settlement offer next Monday. A true settlement offer is one that looks at the true cost of living and working in Hawaii and brings us toward the goal of all workers: One Job Should Be Enough.
