Laundry workers
go on strike

Star-Bulletin staff

About 130 employees at Young Laundry & Dry Cleaning went on strike this morning over a contract dispute.

The employees, members of Hawaii Teamsters Local 996, set up picket lines at 7 a.m. They voted to strike after Young's management refused a contract extension and instituted pay and benefit cuts during negotiations, said Mel Kahele, president of Local 996.

"The union has worked hard to avoid a strike," Kahele said. "And we still hope for a speedy settlement." Another negotiation session is scheduled for tomorrow at 11 a.m..

Mike Drace, Young's president, said the company has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board and is seeking injunctive relief. "We are continuing negotiations with the union and hope the work stoppage will be very short," Drace said. "In this economy, I can't imagine anyone gaining by a strike. At the same time that we are negotiating we have to make plans to continue operating and to replace the workers if necessary."

Drace said the company will maintain regular store hours at its 22 locations on Oahu for customers to pick up clothing that has been processed. The company, which is using supervisory staff in place of the striking workers, will resume accepting new articles to be cleaned on Saturday, he said.

Young's is the state's only unionized dry cleaner, Drace said.