The National Labor Relations Board yesterday began a hearing on 15 complaints of unfair labor practices filed against the owner and manager of the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki.

The hearing before an administrative judge is expected to last several days, but it could be months before a final ruling is issued. The proceedings are being held at the federal building in Honolulu.

The complaints were filed against the hotel by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 following years of dispute between management and hourly wage employees. Both sides had filed numerous charges against the other with the labor board, but the NLRB has dismissed all of the hotel's charges and consolidated the union's accusations into 15 complaints.

The major issue is the hotel's refusal to recognize the ILWU as the legal representative of the 365 employees. The NLRB earlier ruled that the ILWU has standing since the union was certified as the collective bargaining representative in August 2005.

The hotel is challenging that ruling, however, and is arguing that a majority of its workers do not want to be represented by the ILWU.