The Modern Honolulu recently notified 78 workers—nearly 30% of the workers at the hotel—that they will be laid off within the next 30 days. Federal charges assert that The Modern violated employees’ federal labor law rights and refused to bargain in good faith with the union.
UNITE HERE Local 5 filed federal unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) today against The Modern Honolulu, which is owned and operated by Diamond Resorts, an international timeshare company headquartered in Las Vegas.
The collective bargaining agreement expired in December 2018, and the Union and Hotel are in the middle of negotiating a new agreement. The Hotel did not mention these layoffs in the most recent negotiating session, and then it cancelled the session scheduled in mid-April. Management initially alerted the workers about the layoffs by calling them into one-on-one meetings and refusing to allow the Union to participate in those meetings.
The layoffs impact multiple departments like housekeeping, banquets, pool, in-room dining, reservations, and food & beverage. The 78 workers received a letter from the company notifying them of the layoffs. Local 5 represents over 270 workers at The Modern Honolulu. Workers outside of the Local 5 bargaining unit have also been notified of layoffs, so it is unclear what the total number of workers being laid off is. Diamond Resorts purchased The Modern in April 2018. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT HAWAIINEWS.ONLINE.
