HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hotel workers said they are ready to walk off the job. Thousands of workers from seven Waikiki hotels and one on Kauai said they're burnt out and have had enough.
A historic strive vote earlier in August authorized what could be the largest strike of Hawaii hotel workers since 1990. Thousands are willing to strike for higher wages, fair staffing and workloads and protections for the work associated with providing guest services and amenities.
"We want a livable wage, if we want our families to live here for future generations," stated Briana Canencia, Waikiki Beach Marriott Server. "Sometimes overtime is mandatory and I don't think anyone likes to feel that way."
Unite HERE Local 5, a union representing hotel workers stated the hotel industry's profit increased by more than 26% while staffing decreased by 13% since 2019.
In a survey of nearly 4,000 Local 5 workers, 78% of respondents said they believe their employers took advantage of the pandemic to cut payroll and make changes not beneficial to workers.
Contract negotiations have been ongoing at four major hotel groups including the Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and Kyo-ya Hotel & Resorts since April.
"Our employers have negotiated some points with us, but most points are not even met halfway to what we're asking," said Canencia. "We just want to be able to not just live paycheck to paycheck, but we want to be able to get ahead."
A statement from the Hyatt read, "Hyatt hotels continue to offer our eligible employees competitive wages and benefits, as well as comprehensive healthcare coverage…. we remain optimistic that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached without a strike."
KHON2 reached out to the other groups and are waiting for a response.
Workers are making final preparations for an imminent strike. They do not know when exactly the strike will take place, but say they are ready to walk out at a moment's notice and strike for as long as it takes.