UNITE HERE Local 5 issues statement on COVID-19 vaccinations

Vaccines to prevent and immunize against COVID-19 are becoming increasingly available in the United States and in Hawaii. We are optimistic about the opportunities that a vaccine can provide for our community, especially for our workers in the hospitality industry, as the state continues to re-open tourism. 

UNITE HERE Local 5 would like to work with the state and the hotel industry in creating and implementing a safe and inclusive vaccination program for our hospitality workers that includes:

• Vaccinating all hospitality workers, not just front-of-house workers.
• Encouraging vaccinations for whom it is safe. We do not support compulsory vaccination programs
• Prioritizing hospitality workers for inclusion in the next phase of vaccination rollout, as they are essential workers who welcome both global and domestic travelers—including guests who are required to quarantine by the state, or have tested positive for COVID-19.

“I took the vaccine to help protect myself from others and to get back to work sooner,” says Affron Herring, an assistant pantry worker at the Hilton Hawaiian Village who was able to get his COVID-19 vaccine because he is a military veteran, “I hope the state and hotel industry will work with Local 5 so that my coworkers and other hospitality industry workers will get the same opportunity to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”