With no new bargaining dates set, Unite Here! Local 5 issued an open letter to Hawaii labor today to ask for solidarity and support should a strike be called.
“Hawaii’s hospitality industry is in crisis,” wrote Cade Watanabe, financial secretary-treasurer of Unite Here! “Not because of workers or the pandemic … we’re in crisis because of the lack of respect and care our offshore hotel owners and mainland companies have for all of us.”
Local 5 members at eight Hawaii hotels, consisting of more than 5,000 members employed by Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Kyo-ya, have already authorized strikes.
“I appreciate all your demonstrations of solidarity and offers of support,” Watanabe wrote. “I know that some of you have already moved or postponed your meetings/events and made it known to our hotels that should a strike be called, you and your members will not cross any picket lines.”
HGEA stands with our labor brothers and sisters as they fight for better pay, benefits and working conditions.
