Hale Koa workers join Local 5, boosting union in negotiations
The union is bargaining with major isle hotels
Employees at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki have voted to join Unite Here Local 5, adding to the hotel workers union's momentum during current labor contract negotiations with the major isle hotels.
"We'll now be representing some 12,000 members," said Laura Moye, Local 5 organizer. "There are about 880 workers at the Hale Koa."
Local 5 represents 22 Hawaii hotels, including the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Hyatt Regency Waikiki.
Workers at the Hale Koa, some who formerly belonged to federal union SEIU/NAGE Local 556, voted to affiliate with Local 5 yesterday. Since membership in SEIU/NAGE Local 556 was optional, most Hale Koa workers were not organized, Moye said.
The workers' new union affiliation will allow wages and benefits to keep pace with the Hawaii economy, said Bill Kearsley, president of SEIU/NAGE Local 556 and lifeguard at the Hale Koa for the past nine years.
"This is an opportunity that our fellow rank-and-file workers cannot pass up to improve working conditions at Hale Koa," Kearsley said.
While it's unclear what changes will take place immediately for Hale Koa workers, the union will look at wages and benefits, particularly for housekeepers who are being paid about $2 less than the Waikiki average, Moye said.
Union contract negotiations, which will include Hale Koa workers, are under way. Union shop stewards voted last week on a package to present to members, and are conducting a membership survey asking for feedback on the recommendations, Moye said.
Final recommendations will be presented to the members April 28.
The contract between Local 5 and the Ala Moana Hotel will expire on May 31, with all other contracts to follow on June 30.