Union files labor charges against Aston
Unite Here Local 5 has filed eight federal unfair labor practice charges against Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew on behalf of nonunion workers who have been trying to organize.
According to Local 5, hotel managers treated workers poorly after they sought union representation in February.
"This is the first time since 2002 that hotel workers in Waikiki are organizing from the ground up for a fair process for union representation," said Paola Rodelas, Local 5 communications specialist.
The charges allege that the two hotels, both managed by Aston Hotels & Resorts, violated federal law with an aggressive anti-union campaign that included threats, interrogation and surveillance. A spokesman for the hotels did not return a call to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Local 5 represents about 10,000 workers throughout Hawaii who work in the hospitality, health care and food service industries. The Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew employ 160 and 25 workers, respectively.
Shaindlin named to industry leadership post
Peter Shaindlin, chief operating officer of Halekulani Corp., has been named to the leadership board of the International Luxury Hotel Association, a trade group.
The association works to promote, unify and advance the luxury hotel industry through various means, including research. Shaindlin will serve in the leadership board position, simultaneously with his role in Honolulu, as part of the executive team that leads the Halekulani hotel as well as sister-hotel the Waikiki Parc.
Bills Sydney cracks best-brunch list
Australian-based Bills Sydney in Waikiki is the only restaurant in Hawaii named to the OpenTable.com 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America this year.
Users of the online dining reservations site previously have chosen upscale hotel restaurants, such as the Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel & Resort and Naupaka Terrace at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa in 2014, and the Plumeria Beach House and the Prince Court restaurant at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki in 2013.
OpenTable officials said this year’s list of winners is based on some 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified users of the site. New York state has 15 restaurants on the list, the most of any state.
ON THE MOVE
» Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher has hired Orian J. Lee as senior litigation counsel, specializing in business and complex civil litigation. His experience includes nearly 10 years at Jones Day, and he is licensed to practice in both Hawaii and California.
Wilcox Memorial Hospital has announced the following new hires to its physician staff:
» Dr. Erin Waters as an obstetrics and gynecology specialist.
» Dr. Grace Galiza as a pediatrician specializing in pediatric dermatology.
