Hyatt union workers join peers on mainland in contract protest

Hundreds of Unite Here Local 5 union members, hotel workers and community supporters participated in a mass rally Thursday to protest work conditions at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, where union members have worked without a contract for more than two years.

The local action, which coincided with events in 20 mainland cities, closely followed Unite Here’s Monday launch of a global boycott against Hyatt Hotels.

"Workers at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki are standing up to secure good, decent jobs for this community," said Unite Here Local 5 spokes­man Cade Wata­nabe. "Today and since 2002 there are between 70 and 80 less union workers working at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. The Hyatt is proposing to outsource and subcontract more work."

Watanabe said Hyatt Hotels has abused housekeepers and other hotel workers, replaced longtime employees with minimum-wage temporary workers and imposed dangerous workloads on remaining workers.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki General Manager Jerry Westenhaver said the latest action lacks local relevance and is part of a national campaign to boost union membership by organizing associates at other Hyatt hotels through a non­demo­cratic and intimidating process.

Unite Here leaders in Hono­lulu have refused to allow Hyatt Regency Waikiki union workers to vote on proposals containing the same wage and benefits packages that the union accepted at Hilton and Starwood, Westenhaver said.

"Associates at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa have gone without the pay raises and benefits increases they deserve for over two years," he said.

The boycott could negatively affect Hyatt associates who depend on hotel business for their livelihoods, Westenhaver said.