From dKosopedia

Eric Gill edged out Tony Rutledge in April 2000 for leadership of the Local 5 of the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees union (HERE). Rutledge had held the position of financial secretary-treasurer for 14 years prior to the election. But after months of infighting between Gill and Rutledge and other board members as well as stalled hotel contract negotiations, Local 5 was placed under trusteeship by the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees International Union in 2001. Eric Gill again won a 2001 summer election over Tony Rutledge.

The controversy stems back to early 1998, when Gill was not allowed to run in elections and Rutledge easily won.

Eric Gill is the son of Tom Gill the former Lt. Governor of Hawaii and is the brother of former City Councilman Gary Gill and of Tony Gill, a labor lawyer.

Turtle Bay Resort employees have no union contract, last renewed in 1999, and HERE and hotel management have been in dispute for several years over contract issues. HERE called for a consumer boycott of the hotel in 2003.

External Links

• Local 5 (Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union, Local 5 AFL-CIO)
• Gill Beats Rutledge in final tally -- Contender beats the incumbent by only 39 votes Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 4-7-00)
• New leader expects ‘smooth’ transfer at hotel workers union Eric Gill says defeated union chief Tony Rutledge has pledged to help with upcoming contract talks Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 8, 2000.
• Gill gains top spot in hotels’ Local 5 -- He beats rival Tony Rutledge by 21 votes for secretary-treasurer Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7-7-01.
• Rutledge contests Local 5 election -- He files multiple objections to the vote that put Eric Gill in charge of the union Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7-12-01.
• Hotel workers union placed under trustee Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-27-01.
• Hilton checks out of Turtle Bay Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 8-13-01.
• Divided union takes strike vote Local 5’s decision on whether to OK a strike also tallies confidence in union leaders Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 8-13-02.
• Hotel union infighting moves forward in suit Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 8-31-02.
• Union wants Rutledge ban -- Local 5 charges its former leader took part in a scheme to defraud the organization Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10-30-03.
• Local 5 members sue Tony Rutledge Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 3-25-05.
• Turtle Bay lawyers tell lawmakers to back off -- Legislators' support violates ethics laws, resort attorneys say Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 6-2-05.
• Judge rejects TRO against Turtle Bay union picket Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 6-10-05)
• Turtle Bay workers protest use of temps -- Picketers who walked out say they were improperly replaced Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 6-19-05.
• Labor board takes Turtle Bay to court -- Hearings begin on allegations brought by Local 5 hotel workers Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7-20-05.
• Turtle Bay says union tapped into guest lists -- The hotel accuses Local 5 of illegally accessing trade secrets Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 8-6-05.
• Economic times call for hotel settlement Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9-5-05.
• Schaefers, Allison. Turtle Bay foes blast City Hall -- The Council defers action on a resolution to stop a hotel and condo development Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 29, 2006.