300-plus Princeville Resort workers join ILWU
Star-Bulletin staff
More than 300 workers have ratified their first union contract at the Princeville Resort on Kauai's North Shore, signaling job security through a major renovation beginning this month.
The Princeville workers, who voted to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 in December 2007, will receive pay increases upon completion of the renovations, expected to begin Friday.
The hotel will be repositioned into a St. Regis, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Luxury Collection. Renovations are expected to be completed in April 2009.
"It was very important to negotiate these protections for our members in these tough economic times," said Clayton Dela Cruz, ILWU Kauai division director.
The workers will continue to receive medical benefits during the closure and will receive retroactive pay increases to July 1.
Effective Oct. 12, workers who do not receive tips will see wage increases of between $1.35 and $2.76 per hour, while tipped workers will receive a hike of between 30 and 75 cents per hour.
Workers in non-tipped jobs will receive raises every six months totaling 14 percent over the life of the contract, while tipped workers will receive an additional 30 cents, the union said.