GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Gubernatorial candidate Mazie Hirono was greeted by Local 5 Senior Vice President Hernando Tan during a press conference at the Ilikai Hotel on Friday afternoon. The hotel workers' union endorsed the lieutenant governor in the Nov. 5 election.

Hirono wins support from
hotel workers' Local 5

The union says Lingle
stands for big business

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Associated Press

Local 5 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union threw its support to gubernatorial nominee Mazie Hirono on Friday.

Hernando Tan, the local's senior vice president, said Hirono works in the best tradition of the Democratic Party, fighting for working people, for immigrants' rights, for women's rights and for families and communities.

As for GOP gubernatorial nominee Linda Lingle and the Republican Party, Tan said they stand for big business.

Among other things, the union said that as lieutenant governor, Hirono spearheaded legislation that greatly benefited Local 5 members laid off after last year's terrorist attacks.

Hirono also stood with the local in its contract negotiations with hotels in Waikiki, it said.

Local 5 said it has 11,000 active members and 3,000 retirees.

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