Honolulu Mayor Hannemann inks labor pact for rail transit project

Honolulu mayor inks labor pact for rail project

HONOLULU — Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and 12 local labor unions have inked an agreement that will pay union workers prevailing wages to build Honolulu’s rail transit project while guaranteeing that they cannot delay construction by striking.

Among those signing the Project Labor Agreement on Tuesday were unions representing carpenters, heavy equipment operators, iron workers and roofers.

Hannemann says he favors the pact because it will ensure that local workers are employed on the $5.4 billion rail line.

Construction of the 20-mile rail line is expected to begin next year and is slated to be completed in 2019.

Also, the city and Kiewit Pacific Company on Tuesday signed a contract to begin construction of the first 6.5-mile phase of the project.