Haliʻimaile Pineapple Contract Secures 23% Wage Increase Over Three Years

Members of the ILWU bargaining unit at Haliʻimaile Pineapple on Maui have reached a new three-year agreement that delivers major gains in wages, healthcare, leave protections, and union rights — marking one of the strongest contracts in recent years for the unit.

The agreement, which workers ratified unanimously on May 26, runs through May 31, 2029. At the center of the settlement is a significant wage package that includes a 12% increase upon ratification, followed by 5% raises in each of the next two years. While the total scheduled increase equals 22%, the compounded wage growth over the life of the agreement reaches approximately 23.5%.

When combined with wage increases secured in July 2025, workers across the wage scale will see dramatic gains. Some lower-paid classifications will experience increases as high as 42% over the combined period. Even higher classifications will see raises ranging from roughly 23% to 29%.

The 2025 wage-reopener delivered wage improvements that, over the past two bargaining cycles, represent more than triple the wage growth of the prior agreement.

In addition to wages, members secured several quality-of-life improvements. The contract adds a new paid birthday holiday, giving workers an additional holiday each year. Healthcare costs for employees were also reduced, with employee contributions to premiums decreasing from 20% down to 15%. The 5% decrease for employees will be picked up the the employer, who will now pay 85% of the premiums.

Bereavement leave language was expanded as well. Grandparents are now included as “immediate family” funeral leave protections, and workers attending out-of-state funerals will now have access to up to six days off, with three of those days paid.

The agreement also strengthens workplace protections and union access. ILWU representatives will now be allowed 30 minutes during new employee orientation to speak directly with new hires about the union and worker rights.

Under a new Letter of Understanding on temporary workers, the company must now discuss any proposed use of temp workers with the union on a case-by-case basis. Temporary workers may only be used if both parties agree.

The agreement also protects against undercutting bargaining unit standards by requiring that if temporary workers are paid more than ILWU members performing the same work, union workers’ wages must be raised to match. Temporary workers will also PINEAPPLE: be required to follow the collective bargaining agreement’s work rules.

Safety improvements were included through another Letter of Understanding providing two fully paid pairs of protective chaps per year for workers who require them on the job.

The contract also establishes a new Seamstress job classification under Group 5 in Exhibit A.

At a time when the cost of living continues to rise across Hawaiʻi, workers at Haliʻimaile Pineapple secured a contract that raises standards not only in wages, but in dignity, fairness, and respect on the job