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Marriott Strike Bulletin Day 33
“Hawaiʻi needs a four year contract. We are powerful because we are all together. We need to make sure that we are powerful the next time we have to fight.” – Kataki Vaea, Sheraton Maui Lead Cook, 26 years
Breaking Bread
In the Bible, Jesus fed the 5,000 people by breaking bread and sharing it with the masses. Our faith allies echoed this action yesterday morning by breaking bread for the strikers in Waikiki.
Moving forward
With every beat of the drum, with every step we take, with every chant we yell, every relationship we built, every boycott, every delegation, every leaflet, every effort we have moved this contract forward. We are approaching the top of the hill, let’s bring this home. Never surrender!
In It to Win It
Negotiations are moving along but we still haven’t reached agreements on our final priorities: 4-year contract, housekeeping room drop, and big money for our wages and benefits. We have the strength, we have the unity, never surrender!
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. –Frederick Douglass
Marriott Strike: Day 32 bulletin
View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 32 bulletin here.
View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 31.
In it to Win it: Stay focused on the main issues: Big Money, 4 Year Agreement and Housekeeping workload.
We celebrated day 31, and we’re staying focused on our main issues.
A flotilla of surfers, canoes and swimmers took the “One Job Should be Enough” message to the sea yesterday.
Also yesterday, a group of environmental and social justice organizations came to the lines to march with us. They delegated Kyo Ya with a message that One Job Should Be Enough, in particular supporting our demands for a 4 year agreement and a lower housekeeping workload.
Bargaining is happening on Thursday and Friday. Let’s keep our lines strong so that we can support the negotiating committee.
This morning, a group of pastors will break bread with our strikers, reminding us that fellowship, generosity and solidarity will keep us strong.
Marriott Strike: Day 31 bulletin
View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 31 bulletin here.
View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 30.
In it to Win it: Stay focused on the main issues: Big Money, 4 Year Agreement and Housekeeping workload.
Big Money: “I have two children currently in college and it is important to get a good wage increase so that we can provide for our family.” —Eric Murobayashi, Westin Moana Surfrider
“Cost of living is high in Hawaii. I work 3 jobs just to survive.”
—Kimo Opiana, Westin Moana Surfrider
“Medical is important to me and my family because we all know that medical in America is so expensive. To me, medical is one of our basic needs.” —Emily Canoy, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
“The pension is very important. I am 61 and approaching retirement age. Without a good pension I will be working into my 70’s.”
—Grace Murar, Westin Moana Surfrider
We celebrated the 30th day on strike with food, chants, fellowship and group pictures. This strike will be remembered as a historic mark of Local 5’s history.
News coverage:
Marriott Strike: Day 30 bulletin
View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 30 bulletin here.
View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 29.
Eye on the Prize
We’re down to the last but most important bargaining goals: housekeeping, big money, and 4 year power.
Housekeeping:
“We are not 2nd class housekeepers. Why does San Francisco have only 14 rooms and we’re cleaning 15? We have lanais, bird droppings, and sand. Us housekeepers hardly take our breaks, and if we do, we’re rushing. After the renovations, it will be even harder. The lanai is glass, no shower curtain—all glass doors, the tub is deeper, and the bed is really low.
When I go home, my back is so sore. I don’t feel like cooking, it’s plate lunch every night. When the pain is bad I feel like I’m not doing my job as a mother because I’m so tired. My kids are young so I should be playing with them, but I just can’t. Something has to change for us.”
–Geraldine Acoba, Sheraton Waikiki.
More Support from Senator Mazie Hirono
She spoke about our strike and our One Job Should Be Enough campaign on CNN!
Ocean Picket
4:30pm, Wednesday at Sheraton Waikiki loading dock.
News coverage:
- Pacific Business News: “Hawaii workers’ union urges companies to not do business with Marriott”
- Labor Press: “Marriott Strikers Win Contracts in 2 Cities; Walkout Continues Elsewhere”
- Hawaii Public Radio: “Some Progress Made on Strike Negotiations”
- The Garden Island: “Letter: Immigrant workers have contributed much”
Marriott Strike: Day 29 bulletin
View PDF version of Marriott Strike Day 29 bulletin here.
View all photos from Marriott Strike Day 28.
Community delegations to Kyo-ya
Democratic Socialists of Honolulu sent a delegation of 15 people to deliver a message of solidarity and support to Kyo-ya leadership. Other community groups are planning on delegating Kyo-ya in support of our strike.
Floatilla action
Watermen and women: we’re going to have a floatilla action this Wednesday, 4:30pm. Meet at the Sheraton Waikiki loading dock. Bring your surfboards, boogie boards, paddleboards, gear, etc.
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” — William Butler Yeats
News coverage
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser: “Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joins picket as hotel strike persists”
- KITV: “Honolulu Mayor visits Local 5 strike line”
- The Fil-Am Courier: “Local 5 continues its fight for fair wages”
- Teen Vogue: “Strikes and Picket Lines, Explained”