Leaders of the the 6.8-million-member Japanese Trade Union Federation said they will support a boycott of the Pacific Beach Hotel organized by a coalition of local unions, community groups and elected officials in the wake of labor problems at the hotel.

The Japanese organization, known as RENGO, said its executive board voted to support the boycott at an April 17 meeting, according to a news release from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, which represents the Pacific Beach Hotel workers.

RENGO will now take steps to inform its members about the boycott through national unions and prefectural federations, the organization said.

Japanese union leaders are being careful not to discourage members from visiting Hawai'i, the ILWU said.

"Their message is, 'Please continue to visit Hawai'i, just don't patronize the Pacific Beach Hotel,' " according to the news release.

The boycott was launched in December by Justice at the Beach, a coalition that consists of unions, educators, churches, lawmakers and community groups.

Hotel owner HTH Corp. and its unionized workers have been embroiled in a labor dispute since employees began an effort to organize five years ago.

Three years ago, the workers voted to be represented by the ILWU, but have yet to reach a contract agreement.