YPDA on strike: Solidarity with workers

Over the weekend, YPDA joined the picket line at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), where more than 500 HMSHost employees were on strike. The workers, who are part of the UNITE HERE! Local 5 labor union are demanding better pay and healthcare coverage.

Environmental Justice Action Committee chair Jun Shin (pictured) says it is important for environmentalists to show up to support labor struggles too. "Local 5 has been a staunch community ally and a leading force in the movement to make Hawaiʻi a better place for all," said Shin. "Their ability to build community power proves that we don’t have to accept the current reality here in Hawaiʻi. Local 5 shows that we can fight back, that we can have a clean environment and access to the resources we need to live healthy, sustainable lives. But we have to stand together."

Shin noted how efficient and effective Local 5's strike operations were, observing supply drop-offs, chanters making sure that picket lines didn’t remain silent, marshals in vests who made sure that the picket lines wouldn’t disrupt airport foot traffic, and people who would work tables for long hours. With the solidarity building between Local 5 HMSHost food service workers, the broader Local 5 union, pilots, flight attendants, Shin believes the airport has potential to continue to create and strengthen worker power against corporate greed.

In addition to training young advocates to fight for progressive policies, YPDA is also a network and hub for progressives in the labor community, the social services community, the environmental action community and more. We support each other through our words and follow with our actions. Equity and justice require solidarity and a unified movement for change. E pluribus unum.

"When we talk about a future just transition to a green economy, we need to make sure that social and economic justice is centered in that discussion," Shin continued. "Workers in industries like coal or oil are doing their jobs to provide for their families. While protecting the planet, we need to protect our workers too. The New Deal failed to help many impoverished communities of color. The Green New Deal must ensure that these communities are at the forefront of the climate justice movement." 

HMSHost is a billion-dollar airport concessionaire. Workers at HNL serve over 10 million annual passengers, mostly on minimum wage with an average $12.80/hr wage across all departments. HMSHost healthcare insurance option starts at $115 a month for family coverage. Local 5 hotel and healthcare workers pay $0 for full family coverage. Negotiations have been ongoing since the contract expired December 2018. According to the Union, initial rounds of bargaining saw the company proposing to take away holidays.