BUSINESS BRIEFS
Kaiser workers ratify contract

Advertiser Staff

Kaiser Permanente employees represented by the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees, Local 5 last night ratified a new contract involving more than 20 facilities on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island, according to preliminary results.

A preliminary vote count, which did not include the Big Island, showed 571 of 600 votes supported ratification, said union spokesman Jason Ward. Local 5 represents nearly 2,000 Kaiser employees.

According to union officials, the tentative agreement calls for a 22.5 percent wage increase over the life of a new 5-year-contract; stronger language protecting workers' rights and limits on subcontracting; and reduced hours needed to qualify for pension benefits.

Shipping firms, union in talks

Contract negotiations continued last night between the Inlandboatmen's Union and Young Brothers, Limited/ Hawaiian Tug & Barge before the expiration of their three-year contract.

The contract expired at midnight. The IBU represents an estimated 60 of Young Brothers' 360 employees.

Small firms get high-tech help

U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye yesterday announced the formation of the Hawaii Technology Development Venture, which is designed to help Hawai'i small businesses with high-tech Department of Defense projects.

The new group will help with grant assistance, business plans and mentoring. The program is a project of the Office of Naval Research.