HONOLULU Representatives of hotels here and a union representing their workers reached a tentative deal May 7 after 14 months of talks that had been assisted by a federal mediator and just six hours before a scheduled strike vote. Both sides said they expected the deal to be ratified as early as next week.
The proposed contract would give most unionized Waikiki beach hotel workers who do not collect tips a raise of 3% or $0.40 per hour retroactive to March 2000. Those same workers would get a raise o $0.45 per hour effective March 2001.
This deal comes just as 3,000 delegates to the annual Asian Development Bank arrived on the island for a meeting. Many of those attending the meeting are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village; the largest local hotel and one of those involved in the talks. If a deal had not been reached, The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Workers Union told its 5,000 members not to report to work this week. (5/7/01)