The hotel strike has ended with both labor and management expressing satisfaction with the new contract (“Hotel strike ends,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 28). But let’s not fool ourselves. An extended strike like this one in a consumer- sensitive industry has major consequences in terms of damage to Hawaii tourism’s reputation.

This probably runs into many millions in unrealized revenue as well as income lost by the strikers, who certainly could not afford it.

The strike is a form of economic warfare and war is the least desirable alternative.

Perhaps the final agreement could have been achieved without a strike. Perhaps the next round of negotiations will be held with the memory of this costly conflict in mind and with a resolve to avoid another one.

Carl H. Zimmerman

Salt Lake

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