Hotel Workers at Hilton Hawaiian Village Reach Contract Deal, End Strike
by Briana Bonfiglio /Hotel employees at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu have reached a labor agreement, concluding a 40-day strike that caused some disruption at Hawaii’s largest resort.
Represented by the union UNITE HERE, more than 1,800 workers were on strike from Sept. 24 through Nov. 4. They have now ratified the tentative new contract, which includes wage increases, more affordable health care, and staffing and workload protections.
“I could not be more proud of my coworkers and my union for reaching a tentative agreement that accomplishes our major goals that put a real value on the importance of our jobs as hospitality workers,” said Ed Schack, a cook at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for 35 years. “At the same time, I know the fight is not over yet and I am ready to stand behind other hotel workers fighting for a fair contract.”
Nearly 2,000 hotel workers remain on strike at five Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott hotels in San Francisco. The actions come after more than 10,000 UNITE HERE members went on strike on strike over Labor Day weekend. Contract agreements are now starting to roll in – workers in Boston have also reached a tentative deal, expected to be ratified Wednesday.
“Momentum is building as hotel workers across the U.S. fight for decent pay and fair workloads,” said Gwen Mills, international president of UNITE HERE. “Our recent settlements prove that jobs at Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott can be genuinely good, family-sustaining jobs, and strikes will continue until workers in all our cities have won contracts that deliver on that promise.”