C17PSGR

Strangely, Local 5 was trying to convince at least one convention to not return to Hawaii next year!

HNLbasedFlyer

https://wsoe.org/class-action-lawsui...rike-lodgings/

Apparently they didn't have a good experience.......

Class-action lawsuit filed over hotel strike lodgings - Honolulu

A North Carolina doctor and his wife have filed a class-action lawsuit against Marriott International and Kyo-Ya Hotels &Resorts for not telling them that the workers in their hotel were on strike before they came here on their honeymoon.

Dr. Ovais Inamullah and Sana Khalique booked a five-night stay at The Royal Hawaiian for $2,391 and arrived on Oct. 29. By that time the strike was about to enter its fourth week.

Inamullah and Khalique said they were never notified of the strike prior to their arrival. They said the hotel still charged them full booking price even though they were provided no housekeeping, valet parking, room and pool attendant services and very limited to no on-site restaurant and bar service.

edgewood49

It amazes me their thought process. If one wants to see happens when they push too far turn to Europe. Electronic order machines are the norm for many fast food restaurants, electronic checkin and keys at hotels same at airports and now with baggage tagging.

Equity Capital's drive to the bottom on costs will turn against any gains the unions think they will make. As stated we are looking elsewhere for the holidays and my wife is 50% Hawaiian

02champs

So I just spent the 11/10- 11/12 weekend at the Sheraton Waikiki. I used SPG points and do feel cheated that I got much less than a typical stay would be. Observations:

So what management did is fly in staff from other properties...I met employees from Houston, Dallas, Georgia. They were more than happy to get a trip to Hawaii to do the work and are in no hurry to leave from what they told me. The ones who are there seemed pleasant, helpful and apologetic for the disruptions. Checking in was backed up some but staffing no different than normal (i.e. 4-5 employees at the desk).

For food, the staff set out everything in the breakfast buffet as usual, and then it is entirely self-serve with disposable plates and utensils. For the lounge, I did not notice any drop-off in offerings, but again all disposable. Big difference at the pool, as no waiter service--pretty disappointing to be poolside and not be able to order a drink or food. I think other restaurants on the property were closed or had reduced hours. But in Waikiki where the affected hotels are, there are 50+ decent food options so no big concern.

Housekeeping is also self-service. Numerous supplies were set out near the elevators where you could grab toiletries, TP, water and so on. The housekeepers they do have are there to changeover the rooms. My room looked fine at check-in but it was two hours later than normal check-in before I got to check in my room (they did give me a key to the lounge). I guess it is the same as "make a green choice" housekeeping if you don't mind that.

As for the union, it had been 34-36 days since they strike started but there were no signs of backing off. I was 25 floors up and their chants and megaphones sounded like they were on my balcony. Hawaii's government is very pro-union (and wants the hotels to give in and settle according to newspaper reports) so there seems to be no limits to the time, megaphone volume or locations for the disruption. Even on a Sunday morning they were up and loud by 7 AM no less. And forget any respect to veterans on Veterans Day, they were out early and loud. Many of them stand on the walkway by the pool and right out in front of the entrance for check-in. Most people just ignored them and went on, and the hotel and pool areas did not seem affected. Many of us were grateful for our ear buds to ignore them.

But make no mistake, this is a very "in your face" group of strikers so beware if you are not comfortable ignoring people. And the word is the hotels are prepared for this to last into 2019. I guess that makes some sense given this is typically the low season (other than Christmas week) and there is winter elsewhere so they have no worries about finding other staff to fly in and run the hotels.

edgewood49

MSPeconomist

edgewood49

They don't think that way. In Hawaii the strike is for increased pay which if one looks at their demands it amounts to higher than the average worker in the state. I just had a staff member change their TG plans due to the strike and I too am changing my after Christmas trip.

C17PSGR

Still think it was interesting the union was lobbying the ADA to not return to Hawaii next year for their convention.

And, of course, $22 an hour plus a pension and medical is very generous for housekeeping.

edgewood49

Look at the statewide average income for workers then look at the union but one must breakdown their package that's where the real costs are. We all should be so lucky to have their medical/sick/vacation/pension plan

clublounger

What is your source for this claim?

It has been well documented that things were made to be difficult for the ADA attendees during their convention last month. They union may have even suggested the ADA cancel the recent convention.

NOWHERE have I seen that the union has targeted next year's convention. The ADA did not sign an agreement for next year, before they left Hawaii, but that is not unusual. The ADA told the convention center "..let’s revisit in January".

etsmyers

I have to chuckle, a CA striker, union member, assumed left leaning due to their evident choices, stating that a program designed to "help" the environment is hurting them.

C17PSGR

There was a quote by the Unite HERE Local 5 President that I can't seem to find which I suppose was more insistent that they don't sign anything while they are on strike. I believe it is unusual to not sign the agreement for next year.

And, of course, large conventions require a lot of advance planning. Once you make it difficult or persuade them to try somewhere else, they may not come back. Scottsdale would certainly welcome the convention as would some other places that don't have union issues.

Plus, the union went out of their way to target the ADA. Didn't they do an "informational" picket even at non-Marriott locations just to be difficult? Was the Blaisdell protest (Blaisdell is the unionized entertainment venue in Honolulu and has not connection with Marriott) during the ADA convention or was it during another one?

clublounger

Blaisdell was never targeted in regards to this strike.

Not looking to pick a fight, but....
I don't like seeing mistruths, and nobody should be supposing around here, when facts are readily available. And if you can't find something through google, then it doesn't exist.

From StarAdvertiser:


Teri Orton, general manager of the AEG-managed Hawai‘i Convention Center,.......

“We presented an offer, but in light of the strike and all of that, they said let’s revisit in January,” Orton said. “Most groups don’t sign right there, but we were hopeful that they would consider signing before they left.”

Good luck trying to get 30,000 dentists excited about visiting Scottsdale.

Kagehitokiri

also for example what long time labor activist cleve jones currently tweeting

edgewood49

They should begin replacing the workers and get on with life.