Ilikai workers reach deal to keep the hotel running - Hawaii Bu...

[LOOk]

alice wrote:

Unions have helped build the middle class here. I congratulate them for that.

If you ever visit mainland cities. Only a FEW enjoy what's left of American debt/wealth. Everyone else just throw all the money into their worthless house/mortgage.
It will get worse as the greedy try to dissolve the unions and take for themselves.
Hawaii and Japan do a better job spreading the wealth around.

[Kimo]

alice wrote:

The Ilikai is a hideous lookign, outdated building. These concrete nightmares are less and less wanted by tourists.

Alice, if your dead okole owned the Ilikai--you wouldn't be saying that..! The Ilikai is a FEE SIMPLE parcel of land that is worth millions, notwithstanding the improvements thereon. Moreover, the Ilikai has many conceptual upgrade renderings that were to have been implemented before "birdbrain," and his band of malfunctioning drones destroyed the dream of a remodel. Notwithstanding the fact that the Ilikai Condominium Owners are made up of the dead and nearly dead-who panic when anyone wants to spend a penny to upgrade anything--including fire alarms! With a $30M remodel investment (and it will happen!) the Ilikai will, once again, be--A SHINING STAR (and your dead okole won't be able to afford breakfast there!)! It is minds like your--who don't have a clue about ECONOMICS and/or real estate INVESTMENTS--that helped createe the Bernard Madoff's of this world! I'll bet if I showed you a stunning new home made out of cardboard selling at #300/s.f.--you would buy it, because it's just so pretty/cute, etc.. Of course, when the first rain came and or wind blew over 10mph the house would be gone... Didn't your Mother ever tell you: Don't judge a book by it's cover! After all--how much do you spend at Neiman Marcus for that face paint to make yourself look 10 years younger? ALICE, ALICE, ALICE--use your head!

[Napster]

Unions...creators of the weekend.
I think the anti-union comments are unnecessary for this article...as it is obvious that the union and the new owners reached an amicable agreement based on the economic situation facing the Ilikai.
I think there are cases where the unions do abuse their power(auto unions for example), but for the most part I don't hear that about Local 5. The members don't seem to "complain" about them as much as members of other unions, because Local 5 tends to get good benefits packages for their members. The union is "supposed" to get employees pay raises and benefits packages they want...thats their job. If the hotels don't like it...then the union must be doing something right.
As for Gill lining his pocket...last I heard he was the lowest paid of all the major union heads and still drives an old beat up pick up truck.

[Kimo]

Hula Girl wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, yes, in good econonic times, maybe employees could make more money in an non-unionized setting. In bad economic times, or when we have rotten employers, we welcome the union's protection and abilily to stick up for us.
At one time, I said that I'd never again join a union or work for a unionized empmloyer. Now, I'm glad I do. I am employed in one of the state agencies that isn't under Govenor Lingle's direct control; combined with having a strong union, I know my job is and benefits are safe. It's a good feeling in today's economy. I am thankful.

How, exactly, are your "benefits safe," when those proceeds were invested in REITS, Hedge Funds, Stock Market, and other failed venues that will take atleast 15 years to recover and restore?
NUMBNUTS!

[How]

Lemme try read between the lines. Hotel like lay off 15 workers. Union sez no. Hotel threatens to lay off everybody because they can't afford it. Union calls its bluff. Hotel fires everybody. Union chickens out and concedes. Hotel wins and 15 are not gonna get hired back. Just a silly little power play. If the union still didn't back down, new workers were gonna get hired, and there are lots looking to replace them.

You guys like Perreira. Win the battle and lose the war.

[omg]

oops

[Napster]

How...the union and new owners never negotiated until the past few days...so your assumptions are wrong.

[blue collar]

Kimo wrote:

<quoted text> How, exactly, are your "benefits safe," when those proceeds were invested in REITS, Hedge Funds, Stock Market, and other failed venues that will take atleast 15 years to recover and restore?
NUMBNUTS!

Hell of a lot safer than 401K or stock options or restricted stocks they get in private business. Unless the whole system collapse,"defined benfits" for public employees and union retirees sure looks a lot better, numbnut.

[Shareholder]

Thats the best news that we have heard in Hawaii in a long time. I hope its true.

To all you anti union bloggers I hope you enjoy the peanuts that you receive from your employers. They will never pay you more the what they absolutely have to and if you are lucky enought to be working for a good employer then hats off to you but thats a minority group.

[Listener]

First step..seeing those faces throwing big smiles.
But hold your horses, IStar is PENDING contract ratification. Remember ISTAR bought ILIKAI at foreclosure price. ISTAR has to look into fine print
of the contract. Like the UNION should be obsolete,
while 50 employees to start with, instead of paying dues of $18 to the unions, ISTAR can start a PROFIT SHARING for the employees looking at $46,800/YR instead giving that to the union. Enroll to 401K where ISTAR pay 10% to each employee contribution, without the union telling the workers when to start
holding signs. Waikiki is not the same, Ragay music
from different country, where is the steel guitar?
luaus are no longer in Waikiki instead way out in the west side. The union is good for one thing, drive up hotel rates, collecting dues for themselves luck if you get a T-Shirt from them, if you do, they already printed their locos on it. Yes ISTAR met with the employees,if I remember the article, but how long ISTAR will be around depends on the VISITORS, good luck...

[Hula Girl]

Kimo wrote:

<quoted text> How, exactly, are your "benefits safe," when those proceeds were invested in REITS, Hedge Funds, Stock Market, and other failed venues that will take atleast 15 years to recover and restore?
NUMBNUTS!

Even if the Employee Retirement System tanks and all those bad investments bring our pensions to zero, it's in the state constitution that the state is still responsible for paying the pensions of all the present and future state retirees. That means, you, dear taxpayer, could be supporting me and my coworkers for the rest of our lives. I'll remember that while I receive my 100% paid medical, dental and vision from the day I retire to the day I die.
So, who are YOU calling a numbnuts?

[Tita Nanakuli]

Congratulation to you all.

[Iilikai worker]

alice wrote:

The Ilikai is a hideous lookign, outdated building. These concrete nightmares are less and less wanted by tourists.

Built by Chinn Ho and made famous by Hawaii five/O this building has many fond memories for Hawaii resident and many visitors. What would you know your not from Hawaii but just another foreign big mouth that posts rediculous statements. Many tourist own units, or time shares there. Stay out our history with your stupid comments. An you wonder why you disgust local readers.

[Waikiki Cleanup]

alice wrote:

The Ilikai is a hideous lookign, outdated building. These concrete nightmares are less and less wanted by tourists.

Then quit walking the streets hustling the tourists, Alice. You are even LESS wanted by them.

[give me a break]

GOV. LINGLE----

TAKE AND USE THIS "IDEA" ON STATE WORKERS----THEY SHOULD WORK TOGETHER. NOT ONLY BEING ADVERSARIAL, WILL GET THE JOB DONE!!!!!!!!!!

THESE "WORKERS" GAVE UP SOME BENEFITS (I ASSUME) "SO THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS TO WORK AT",( AND THE COMPANY CAN AFFORD TO STAY IN THE HOTEL BUSINESS) NOT JUST CRY FOUL AND ARGUE.......THIS WAY EVERYBODY CAME UP WINNERS, GET IT??????????

STATE WORKERS WAKE UP---WILL THE UNION "OFFICIALS" TAKE A CUT IN PAY OR FURLOUGHS....HOW ABOUT UNION PERSONNEL "LAYOFFS" AND WILL THEY TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS "BY CUTTING UNION DUES" TO HELP WHEN THE STATE WORKERS "TAKE THEIR CUT IN PAY AND BENEFITS"??????????

Still from Kaneohe...

[SURFER DUDE HONOLULU]

How wrote:

Lemme try read between the lines. Hotel like lay off 15 workers. Union sez no. Hotel threatens to lay off everybody because they can't afford it. Union calls its bluff. Hotel fires everybody. Union chickens out and concedes. Hotel wins and 15 are not gonna get hired back. Just a silly little power play. If the union still didn't back down, new workers were gonna get hired, and there are lots looking to replace them.

You know I was thinking the same thing. When you really crunch the numbers, 15 jobs lost and the union caved. But they really had no choice. It was either that or 65 layoffs with 65 non union new hires.

[Wildman]

How wrote:
Lemme try read between the lines. Hotel like lay off 15 workers. Union sez no. Hotel threatens to lay off everybody because they can't afford it. Union calls its bluff. Hotel fires everybody. Union chickens out and concedes. Hotel wins and 15 are not gonna get hired back. Just a silly little power play. If the union still didn't back down, new workers were gonna get hired, and there are lots looking to replace them.
You know I was thinking the same thing. When you really crunch the numbers, 15 jobs lost and the union caved. But they really had no choice. It was either that or 65 layoffs with 65 non union new hires.

And you're both right....the union knew well enough to pull back before they lose their income
and get less...Wildman.

[Industry Management]

I've work at a few local resorts in the past 20 years. The union employee hotels are by far the worst in terms of attitude, service and aloha. By far.

[Lokahi]

If we all give a little and take a little and help each other in this tough economic time, every one will benefit.

[townie]

Love them chubby local women.