ILWU rallies amid Pacific Beach negotiations

The hotel is disappointed that the union "has chosen to be disruptive"

An executive at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki says a union rally at the property yesterday afternoon disrupted the hotel's operations, but the union says the rally was simply a peaceful demonstration over labor negotiations.

"We are disappointed that the ILWU Local 142 union has chosen to be disruptive to operations outside the hotel," said Robert Minicola, regional vice president of operations for the hotel. "The actions do not contribute to the ongoing negotiations, and instead inconvenience our guests."

Local 142 spokesman Dave Mori estimated about 300 protesters walked the sidewalk in front of the hotel, with signs. He said the rally was simply part of an overall campaign to create more public awareness of the struggles of hotel workers.

The workers want a union contract with wages equal to other hotels, Mori said. Room rates have gone up nearly 40 percent in the past 11 years, while Pacific Beach workers have only received one raise, he said, and their wages are lower than average when compared to other hotels.

This is the first attempt at collective bargaining between ILWU Local 142 and Pacific Beach Hotel. Negotiations began last November, with more frequent meetings in recent months. The last meeting took place on Friday. Another session is scheduled on Thursday.

Minicola said the management team has been working diligently through each issue "in accordance with bargaining guidelines previously agreed upon between the parties," and is prepared to continue.

The 837-room hotel at 2490 Kalakaua Ave. is run by the Hayashi family, which under HTH Corp. also owns the Pagoda Hotel, and King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel on the Big Island.