This time, public is on the sidelines

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

As Hawai'i's fifth major labor strike in four years enters its second day today with much of the state's concrete supply business idle, one thing is noticeably different from past strikes that affected bus service, schools, hospitals and shipping: public pressure.

Henry Pius, an Ameron Hawaii security guard, watches the main entrance where concrete workers walk the picket line. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Some say it's too early to gauge public interest, and expect that pressure may build in a week or two if the strike continues, but others believe there isn't likely to be much concern from the general public even if the dispute drags on longer.

The difference cited is that this strike doesn't affect general services — store shelves aren't bare, transportation isn't jammed up, children aren't missing school and public health isn't potentially at risk.

"While this is devastating to our industry, I don't think the public outcry will be as great as the teachers strike, nurses strike or bus strike when public services like transportation, education or healthcare was interrupted," said Ron Taketa, business representative and financial secretary for the Hawai'i Carpenters Union.

Also, strikers are generally out of sight, picketing at concrete plants in industrial areas.

Unlike the bus strike, in which the public appeared to favor the city over the union, or the teachers strike in which public sentiment seemed to be with teachers, this strike is happening with the the average resident on the sidelines.

For those indirectly involved, such as contractors, developers and construction workers in other trades, there is little they can do but express regret.

"It's hard, because we're not a party to the negotiations to influence it," said Bill Wilson, president of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., the state's largest general contractor. "You have to rely on the parties involved in this to do what's right."

Wilson said he has talked with the concrete companies because Hawaiian Dredging is their customer, but only to convey the effect. "I think they fully understand the impact on their customers," he said. "Telling them that doesn't help move the ball forward."

Kevin Pe–a, owner of Foundations Hawaii Inc., said he talked with representatives of concrete supplier Ameron Hawaii, which shut down operations yesterday, not asking them to settle but "just basically venting some frustration."

Feeling some pressure yesterday was Hawaiian Cement Vice President Michael Coad, who has been negotiating with Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996, and has received calls from customers, employees, civic leaders and friends urging a settlement.

"I certainly am feeling the pressure," he said. "There is a high degree of frustration amongst everybody."

But while powerful developers and politicians may be reaching out quietly to try to influence a resolution, several congressional and legislative leaders yesterday said they haven't heard from constituents.

"I hope they can resolve their disputes ... but in government you want to respect the (collective bargaining) process," said Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), chairman of the House Labor and Public Employment Committee.

George West, Ameron's O'ahu operations vice president, said his boss, Wade Wakayama, ran into Gov. Linda Lingle at a Republican fund-raiser earlier this week and she told him: "Fix the problem. Let's get back to work."

Lingle spokesman Russell Pang said the governor may have made such a comment, but that she is not planning to intervene in the labor dispute.

Lingle issued this brief statement yesterday: "We are watching and gathering information on the strike situation. We are concerned, especially as it relates to the impact on the current economic recovery of the state, as well as how it will affect employees in the construction industry and related sectors."

Lawrence Boyd, a University of Hawai'i labor economist, conservatively estimates a concrete strike will cost O'ahu's economy $2.3 million a week in direct and indirect lost revenue, excluding money that won't be spent because workers will be out of jobs.

Boyd figured the strike would sideline 200 Teamsters workers, indirectly cost another 237 non-union jobs, and lead to layoffs of 350 construction workers on large projects and 182 working on residential homes.

Some construction workers, such as masons, will be affected by job losses sooner, but more trades will run out of work the longer the strike lasts.

Among these construction workers, most of whom belong to about 17 building trade unions, there is united support publicly for the concrete workers who made concessions when the industry was slow and are now being asked to give up additional benefits when business is booming.

Privately though, there is some resentment at the Teamsters for not being able to avoid a strike. Most, however, just hope for a quick resolution.

"We're all in this together," said Taketa of the carpenters union. "We hope this can be resolved soon."

Advertiser staff writer Dan Nakaso contributed to this report.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.