Protest held at Hyatt over lack of contract

Unite Here Local 5 union workers and supporters held a protest Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, which is the last big unionized hotel where members and management have not come to terms on a new contract.

Approximately 500 Hyatt hotel workers have been working without a new contract at the property since the previous one expired in June 2010, said Local 5 Spokesman Cade Watanabe. Despite many protests and union actions, Local 5 and Hyatt remain at odds over outsourcing and subcontracting, Watanabe said.

"They are proposing to outsource accounting jobs that should be unionized and they’ve subcontracted nighttime public cleaning to People Who Clean Hawaii, an employer that pays workers half of the union wages for similar work," he said. "Every other chain has worked with us on similar issues."

Local 5 signed contracts in March 2011 at the six Starwood managed properties and with Hilton Hawaiian Village. In November 2011, Local 5 and the Waikiki Beach Marriott came to terms on a new contract.

In a prepared statement, Hyatt said that Local 5’s pursuit of a national agenda is the sticking point. Hyatt said it has committed to paying associates market-leading wages and benefits, but that Local 5 has refused to allow its members to vote on proposals containing the same proposals as were accepted by union workers at Hilton and Starwood. Hyatt is holding worker pay raises in escrow to be delivered upon completion of new contracts.

Vote for best artwork in Alaska Air contest

Alaska Airlines’ "Paint the Plane" contest is now open for public voting online.

The three top entries were chosen from among some 2,700 entries from around the state, and were submitted by Sophia Cleek, a sixth-grader at Kapolei Middle School; Aaron Nee, a junior at Kaiser High School; and Izabela Hamilton, a senior at Seabury Hall on Maui.

The deadline to vote is Tuesday. The winner will receive a trip for four to any Alaska Airlines destination and a $5,000 scholarship. See painttheplanehawaii.com.

Airlines upgrade in-flight booze selections

Airlines have found a way to take the edge off the stress of flying and make a few extra bucks along the way with fancy new cocktails, craft beers and elegant wines.

The drinks advertised in the back of in-flight magazines — or on sleek seat-back touch-screens — are starting to resemble those at the hottest nightclubs.

Flying isn’t what it used to be. Long lines, ever-changing security rules and limited overhead bin space have all made traveling much more stressful. It’s no wonder many passengers look for a little escape. Airlines — which created much of this anxiety — are happy to oblige.

The specialty drinks are part of a larger push to get passengers to pay for a little in-flight luxury. Fliers can now opt for more legroom, Internet access or even shorter security lines, all for an extra fee. Those perks and others — along with baggage fees — now account for nearly 7 percent of U.S. airlines’ revenue. That’s up from just 2 percent five years ago. The government doesn’t require airlines to break out specific data on alcohol sales.

Avon to cut jobs, exit Vietnam, South Korea

Avon Products plans to cut about 1,500 jobs and exit two Asian markets, as the struggling beauty products seller begins a broad restructuring plan in an effort to turn around results.

The job cuts amount to almost 4 percent of its workforce and mark one of the first major moves by CEO Sheri McCoy. McCoy was brought on in April to replace longtime CEO Andrea Jung at Avon, a direct seller of beauty products such as Skin So Soft lotion and Mark cosmetics.

Avon said the job cuts span all regions and functions. The 1,500 cuts include 100 employees in Vietnam and South Korea, which Avon will exit entirely.

Avon said in November that it would embark on a plan to save $400 million in three years.

Indy to replace city fleet with electric vehicles

INDIANAPOLIS >> Indianapolis is aiming to become the first major U.S. city to replace its entire fleet with environmentally friendly vehicles, in a move the mayor said is aimed at reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign oil.

Mayor Greg Ballard signed an executive order Wednesday requiring the city to replace its nearly 500 non-police sedans with electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. The city also will work with the private sector to phase in snow plows, fire trucks and other heavy vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, and will ask auto­makers to develop a plug-in hybrid police car.

New vehicles would be purchased as older ones are retired, and the city hopes to completely swap out its current 3,100-vehicle fleet by 2025.

AAA offering discounts at Waikele Outlets

AAA Hawaii is offering prospective members and insurance policy holders a chance to learn about its promotions and offers at the AAA Hawaii booth Saturday at Waikele Premium Outlets in Waipahu.

Representatives will help with travel or insurance questions as well as provide information about the benefits of AAA Hawaii membership.

The promotion runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center courtyard near the Information Center.
Special discount offers also will be available to members while supplies last.

ON THE MOVE

 Hawthorne Cat has promoted Chris Giannaris to sales, operations and marketing manager. He has 10 years of experience in Hawaii’s heavy machinery industry, including serving as sales and operations manager for Hawthorne Cat’s Pacific Division since 2007.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Joshua Wisch as deputy director of the state Department of Taxation. He was previously a special assistant to the attorney general in the Department of the Attorney General.

HHH

dck pacific construction has announced the following new team members to its Honolulu office: Bruce Hosek, superintendent; Timothy Schoder, senior estimator; and George Rodriguez, Delicia Barber, Steven Baqui III and Scott Wilson, project engineers.