Judge rules The Modern Honolulu violated workers’ labor law rights

On January 23, 2014, a Federal Judge ruled that The Modern Honolulu violated workers’ labor law rights!  After a 4-day trial in October 2012, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) William L. Schmidt has issued his decision regarding five National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) unfair labor practice charges filed by UNITE HERE Local 5 (“Local 5”) against The Modern Honolulu (“Hotel”).

The ALJ agreed with Local 5 and the NLRB regarding all of the allegations against the Hotel.  The ALJ found that:

• The Modern Honolulu unlawfully fired Juliana Alcaraz for speaking about working conditions during an employee meeting
• The Modern Honolulu unlawfully barred Ms. Alcaraz from the hotel premises when assigned as a Union agent
• There was a “consistent pattern” on the part of housekeeping manager Emma Clemente to illegally coerce and interrogate workers about their union activities.
• The housekeeping manager wrongfully denied worker Jenie Amoguis her Weingarten rights when she requested to be represented by the Union during an investigatory interview.

Congratulations to the workers at The Modern Honolulu!