BUSINESS BRIEFS
Rally supports hotel workers
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Pacific Beach Hotel workers got a boost from state lawmakers and community groups yesterday afternoon at a union-sponsored rally outside the Waikiki hotel.
An estimated 350 people showed up to support the effort, coordinated by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, spokesman Dave Mori said.
He said workers have been negotiating for a new contract for 18 months, and it's been three years since workers voted to unionize.
"It was a good turnout," Mori said. He said the union remains adamantly opposed to management's open-shop proposal which he said was "an anti-union ploy."
He said the union picked up support at the rally from several unions and at least three state lawmakers: Reps. Kirk Caldwell, Karl Rhoads and Tom Brower.
ROBERTS ALLOTS STOCK OPTIONS
Roberts Hawaii Inc., the state's largest tour and transportation operator, said it has transferred 43.5 percent ownership to workers through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Robert Iwamoto Jr., Roberts' chief executive officer, and partners transferred the shares to the company's 1,405 workers.
"After considering a wide range of alternatives, I have come to the conclusion that ESOP is a perfect way to contribute to RHI's development without limiting its future capitalization opportunities. I am excited to offer this great benefit to our employees," Iwamoto said in a news release.
ALU LIKE HEAD TO SPEAK AT LUNCH
Mervina Cash-Kaeo, president and chief executive officer of Alu Like Inc. will be the featured speaker tomorrow at the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon meeting.
Registration and networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch, and the program starts at noon. Cost for members is $15 and $20 for nonmembers. The location is 1451 Queen Emma St.
To register, call Pauline Worsham at 951-5373 or e-mail pauline@pmwconsult.com.
