Sheraton Kauai Resort workers elevate concerns with strike possible at any moment

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A number of issues have led majority of workers at the Sheraton Kauai Resort to vote in favor of authorizing a strike at any moment, according to labor union UNITE HERE Local 5.

They announced Friday that 91% of workers voted to give the union’s negotiating committee the ability to call the strike. All of this comes after the union said workers from seven major Waikiki hotels authorized a strike by a 94% yes vote.

Like many other hotel industry workers, Sheraton Kauai members are calling on hotel management to raise wages, reverse staffing cuts, and roll out protections for guest services and amenities jobs.

“I’m ready to strike because I have had to work 12-hour shifts multiple days in a row because of understaffing,” said Raylene “Sissy” Pualani, Guest Service Agent at Sheraton Kauai Resort. “I have lost track of how many times I have asked management ‘When are we going to restore the staffing and service hours at the front desk to what it was before the pandemic?’ Four years later and that still has not happened.”

The union added that many hotels have kept their COVID pandemic-era service cuts in place, which has hurt workers resulting in less job opportunities and wages.

“Sheraton Kauai workers have taken a huge step toward securing a future for the people that live and work in Hawai’i along with the future of Hawai’i’s hospitality industry,” said Cade Watanabe, Financial-Secretary Treasurer. “We need proper staffing and tools to make sure that the future of hospitality in Hawai’i is a bright one, and we deserve to be able to afford to be around to see that future.”

Hawaii News Now is awaiting comment from the Sheraton Kauai Resort.

This story may be updated.