Share with your friends.

06-29-2010 - Hotel and Health Care Workers Endorse Neil

The Political Action Committee and Executive Board of UNITE HERE! Local 5 - a local labor organization representing over 10,500 hotel and health care workers throughout the State has voted to endorse Congressman Neil Abercrombie in the 2010 Gubernatorial election race.

Local 5’s official announcement will be made just one day prior to the expiration of union contracts that cover approximately 6,500 hotel workers employed in major hotels in Waikiki and on the neighbor islands.

Congressman Abercrombie will be joining hundreds of rank-n-file leaders of Local 5 who will be meeting throughout the day as a State-wide committee to kick-off the start of their 2010 Hotel Workers Rising Campaign, a movement of hotel workers and their allies across North America, standing together to rebuild the middle-class through the creation of more safe, family-sustaining jobs in the growing hospitality industry.



Joli Tokusato, who has worked at the Ilikai Hotel for the last 20 years, and who serves as chairwoman of Local 5’s Political Action Committee said, “Over the years we’ve worked with many elected leaders, but Neil Abercrombie has always stood out as a proven leader and advocate for Hawaii’s working families. In this election, there just no doubt about it, there’s only one candidate who has committed to serving the people of Hawaii on a full-time basis.”

Eric Gill, Local 5's Financial Secretary-Treasurer said, “We have watched Neil voting for workers' interest for many years. We've heard him speak powerfully on behalf of working people throughout his political career. We've seen Neil put his feet on the line with us when we fight for Hawaii's workers against hotel bosses. Our political action committee has carefully considered the records of the candidates and have unanimously recommended, and our Executive Board has unanimously adopted their recommendation, to endorse Neil Abercrombie for Governor. For Hawaii's workers, this race offers a clear choice. We can go along with the boss's candidate, or we can elect Neil Abercrombie. Local 5 has chosen Neil.”

---