Hawaii hotel workers have now overwhelmingly authorized a strike with a 94% vote, which could impact the experience of visitors across Hawaii. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 5, seek better wages, more staffing, and fair labor practices. This vote came as the Grand Wailea Maui employees are already on strike this week over similar issues, highlighting the broader unrest in Hawaii’s hospitality sector.
A different union, ILWU Local 142, represents the Grand Wailea Resort workers. The separate action at Grand Wailea occurred because their strike addressed unfair labor practices and poor working conditions that had reached a critical point at that hotel. Today’s broader strike authorization involving Waikiki hotels aims to address similar grievances across multiple properties, highlighting widespread issues statewide in Hawaii’s hospitality sector.
The context and grievances at Hawaii hotels.
The strike stems from longstanding grievances exacerbated by the pandemic. Issues such as job security, understaffing, automation, and inadequate wages and benefits have historically been sources of tension between the hotel and its workers.
At the heart of the strike vote are several primary concerns:
- Higher wages to reflect Hawaii’s extreme cost of living.
- Better staffing to reduce the strain on employees.
- Protections against unfair labor practices.
The Grand Wailea Maui strike.
This strike reminds us of the broader issues at play within Hawaii’s hospitality industry. For a detailed look at the Grand Wailea Resort, check out our comprehensive review of the Grand Wailea Hotel. During our recent stay in early July, we found the employees exceptional and had no idea what was happening behind the scenes.
Grand Wailea Resort employees began their strike on August 6, 2024. Negotiations are underway between the resort management and the striking employees, represented by the same UNITE HERE Local 5.
Potential impact on Hawaii tourism.
Hawaii’s tourism industry, which is still seeking recovery, could face significant disruptions. Hotel management teams must balance immediate operational challenges with long-term labor relations. For travelers, this could mean adjustments in plans and expectations. Still, it also presents an opportunity to support workers’ rights and advocate for fair treatment in an industry that is the backbone of Hawaii’s economy.
The hotels included are on all the islands.
Examples are Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Grand Wailea Resort and the Sheraton Kauai. A complete list of hotels can be found here.
The strike authorization vote by Waikiki hotel workers is more than a brief labor dispute.
Instead, it is part of a long battle over fair labor practices in Hawaii hotels. As such, the outcome of today’s vote and the Grand Wailea strike will likely reverberate throughout the Hawaii tourism industry for all stakeholders, including visitors.
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I clicked on the link to the review of the
Grand wailea but the link took me to information on the strike. I wanted to see the salaries you quoted in your review of the grand wailea. Please post salaries.
Hi Donna.
We didn’t quote salaries. And the link is going to where it was intended. Here is the link to the Grand Wailea review.
Aloha.
We have reservations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for early September 2024. Now I wonder if we should cancel. How will the strike effect hotels?
I think the hotel employees had just won better work conditions and salary before covid began but I suppose that agreement went out the window with covid. We have a vacation booked for early fall and I don’t know what we’ll do if they’re still negotiating but I hope the employees win significantly because they deserve it.
I am support the hotel workers however once this settled visitors will pay the price increases as a result. Big hotel corporations will simply pass the cost on to their customers and Hawaii looses again.
Hawaii already seems to be finding out that their is a limit to how much a visitor will pay to go to Hawaii when there are so many other places just as beautiful, welcoming and cheaper.
Those threatening to strike are our friends and neighbors. They are hardworking and yet somehow always come out on the losing end because of greedy off-island corporations. Notice, there isn’t a single Outrigger Hotel on the strike list.
I support fair treatment for workers, but selfishly speaking, I’m concerned about the potential disruption to my trip to Honolulu that’s coming up. If they do strike, do you know how soon could that be? Thanks.
I understand there are valid issues. But striking could negatively impact Hawaii’s tourism industry, which is already struggling. Is there another way?
The pandemic showed how crucial these workers are. But now that’s forgotten.
I for one fully support the hotel workers’ strike. They deserve fair wages and better working conditions. It’s high time Hawaii hotels value employees.
I drove by the strikers and shaka’d my support to all of them at the Grand. The hotels need to get the message that gouging customers isn’t just affecting customers, it’s affecting the entire island. Besides, with half the staff and twice the rates, the Hotel didn’t rehire to pre-pandemic levels, yet enjoys all their new found revenue, especially on the heels of the STR vote.
I am a doctor 45 years in Hawaii. I ask my patients if they are happy with their union. I have never had a positive response. This is plumbers, electrical, construction as well as hotels. My wife’s sister’s where hotel workers and the poor working conditions they faced were due to their union supervisor’s pressure. They would check toilets with mirrors under the rim and other nit picky things in order to harass 20 + year wokers to quit. They wanted to replace veteran workers with lower paid workers. This was when there was no shortage of workers. The common complaint is their supervisor’s are on the bosses side, and don’t stand up for the workers.