Hyatt, union reach accord on contract in Waikiki

The agreement is similar to ones reached with Hilton and Sheraton hotels in Waikiki

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa and hotel workers union Unite Here Local 5 announced a tentative agreement yesterday for a new labor contract covering more than 500 workers at the hotel.

The agreement, which addresses health-care benefits, housekeeping workloads, pensions and job subcontracting, ends more than four months of collective bargaining.

The Hyatt and the union agree that the deal is fair for all parties, said Mike Jokovich, general manager of the hotel.

"We are proud to demonstrate our appreciation for our employees by providing competitive wages and great benefit packages that are some of the best in the nation," Jokovich said.

Details of the agreement will be released following ratification by union members, but the contract is similar to earlier agreements reached with the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Sheraton properties run by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, said Cade Watanabe, spokesman for Local 5.

"We're definitely pleased that we were able to secure a very good contract with the Hyatt," Watanabe said. "We achieved all of the goals that we had set from the beginning with respect to growth, prosperity and health."

Local 5 will continue seeking agreements with the Waikiki Beach Marriott, Kahala, Ilikai, Ala Moana and other hotels.